Fernando Alonso hands Aston Martin 'mandatory' instruction following breakthrough

Fernando Alonso has told Aston Martin it is "mandatory" to continue to score points in the 2025 F1 season after he finally got off the mark in Spain.  Alonso's home Spanish GP was the ninth round of the season, with the two-time world champion enduring the worst start to a season since his 2001 year, having not picked up a points return.  Starting 10th in Spain, Alonso endured an eventful race, but eventually finished 10th on the road and was promoted one spot due to Max Verstappen's penalty. The two points were Alonso's first, which coupled with the 14 Lance Stroll had already scored, moves the team to 16. However, Stake scored big in Barcelona with Nico Hulkenberg scoring fifth place, and 10 points. This result moved Stake from last in the constructors' to eighth, in a tie with Aston Martin on 16 points, but the Hinwil team are ahead on countback by dint of Hulkenberg's fifth place being the best result either team have scored. Reflecting on the situation, Alonso feels consistency is of the utmost importance for the team.  "The points, P9 is the first two points in the championship, and finally, we will avoid the questions on Thursdays about: 'Will this be the weekend [you score points]," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.  "It creates a little bit of pressure on everyone's shoulders to try and get some consistency.  "This was the third consecutive race in Q3, but these are the first points, so if we are constantly in the top 10 on Saturdays and Sundays, it will definitely help everyone.  "We need to score points. With Stake scoring a lot of points, it is mandatory that we score points every weekend, or every two weekends. We need to raise the level."