Fernando Alonso gives verdict on Aston Martin upgrades ahead of British GP

Fernando Alonso will start the British Grand Prix from seventh after Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli were penalised

Fernando Alonso has confirmed that the upgrades introduced to the Aston Martin AMR25 for the British Grand Prix weekend are a "small step in the right direction" after qualifying in ninth.

The Silverstone outfit introduced a new floor and top bodywork for its home race weekend.

"We have a new floor and top bodywork," team principal and CEO Andy Cowell explained in the lead-up to the race weekend. "This builds on the Imola update, but whereas Imola focused more on the shape of the top bodywork, this one focuses more on the floor with a small modification to the top bodywork, aimed at improving the quality of airflow around the rear tyres.

"This is probably it in terms of 2025 updates. We've completed our final scheduled wind tunnel run on the AMR25 – though, as I've just suggested, that could change because of the speed with which we can now organise a test. There are not, however, any more planned tests."

Alonso gave his verdict on the new components following qualifying.

"Yeah, upgrades were tested yesterday with slight advantage to the new package, but small," the Spanish driver explained to Motorsport.com and other media. "So it took time to analyse the data and see the differences. A small step in the right direction.

"We didn't take it for sure, but we thought the upgrades that everyone brought here, it seems that you level yourself. You don't make a big step forward. And yeah, in qualifying is what we saw. A Haas in Q3, quite strong in front of us. Even Alpine into Q3. So we still need to work hard every weekend, but happy with today.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images

"You know, to be in Q3 was not that straightforward. Especially after FP3, we missed the soft run with the red flag at the end. And we went into qualifying a little bit into the unknown in terms of set-up, front flap, etc. with the red tyre, because we didn't manage to test this morning. So yeah, all in all, I think we executed well in qualifying. And let's see what we can do tomorrow."

Although Alonso qualified ninth for tomorrow's Grand Prix, he will start the race in seventh after a three-place grid penalty for Andrea Kimi Antonelli and a ten-place penalty for Oliver Bearman ahead of him.

"Let's see, I think Williams are fast. You know, faster than what they've shown lately," the 43-year-old driver explained when asked if he thought he could hold onto his position. "So I think they will be a threat. Tsunoda starting P11, I think it's going to be a threat as well. And yeah, Kimi, I think it's going to be a long race.

"We cannot underestimate the challenges that we will face tomorrow. But yesterday, in the long run, the car felt good. Tyres felt good as well, so no concerns there. And let's see if we can score points."