Aston Martin agree with Alonso amid 'overachieving' judgement

Fernando Alonso believes his recent performances are “completely out of position” behind the wheel of Aston Martin's car - a statement that team principal Mike Krack agrees with.

Krack echoed his driver’s sentiments following another strong weekend for the Spaniard at Suzuka.

After qualifying fifth on the grid for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the likes of Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and the two Mercedes drivers, the two-time Drivers’ champion was able to hold on in the race to bring his Aston Martin home in sixth.

“Yeah, I kind of agree,” said Krack to media including RacingNews365, when asked if he shared the view that Alonso and the team had over-achieved in Japan.

“When you look back, take the first four races as a reference to see where we are, we were on average the fifth fastest team, maybe sometimes joint fourth, which means you fight for seventh to tenth [position in the race] normally.”

Results on merit, not good fortune

On a weekend in which team-mate Lance Stroll struggled, Alonso’s performance was enough to keep the Silverstone-based outfit right on the heels of Mercedes in the race for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship – trailing by just one point, on 33 points to Mercedes’ 34.

After the race, the 42-year-old driver shared his pride over a strong Japanese Grand Prix.

"I think that this was my best weekend, certainly inside my top five ever," he remarked. "For me, P5 in qualifying and P6 [in the race] are completely out of position, so I am very proud.”

With no retirements to those ahead of or around the Aston Martins, those results were based on merit, not good fortune - something Krack highlighted himself.

“When you have no quick cars out [of the race] and you finish in front out them – obviously there is the track position, but to get the track position you have to qualify well – so from that point of view, I think you have to agree.”