Fernando Alonso issues Aston Martin plea after becoming 'inventor' during Spanish GP

Fernando Alonso has called on Aston Martin to improve its straight-line speed after being forced to “invent“ overtakes during the Spanish Grand Prix. Alonso finally clinched his first points of the season with a strong drive to ninth place around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. His crucial overtakes during the race were made around the outside of Turn 3 as he made use of his grip to pull off eye-catching moves. Despite gaining on his 10th-place starting position, Alonso admitted he expected to have stronger race pace.  “I was expecting more probably from the race,” Alonso told media including RacingNews365 .  “I felt more competitive in qualifying than in the race. We had a lot of front tyre degradation, so the front left was done by seven laps into the stint. “We lacked top speed, on the straights, we were losing a lot. I didn't make a single overtake on the DRS. “They were all made in Turn 3 on the outside, which is not a normal place to overtake, but we had to invent this kind of moves.” Alonso highlighted Aston Martin's straight-line deficit has been a consistent problem this year and pinpointed it as a crucial area for improvement in the races ahead. “In Imola, it was out of Turn 7 where I made three overtakers in the last few laps,” he added. “We need to solve this situation and start overtaking on the straights with the DRS like everyone does.”