Fernando Alonso has experienced a challenging start to the 2025 season, but his fortunes seemingly took a turn for the better during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. After Aston Martin struggled at the Miami Grand Prix, finishing as the slowest team, the team introduced significant upgrades to their car ahead of the race weekend, allowing for a promising performance.
In qualifying, Alonso showcased his adaptability as he secured a spot on the third row of the grid, finishing behind only the McLarens, Max Verstappen, and George Russell. This impressive positioning stemmed from a strategy that involved both drivers saving a set of medium tires by not using them in practice, which ultimately aided their advancement into Q3. The duo outperformed the Ferrari drivers, who found themselves slower in qualifying compared to practice.
The transition from practice to qualifying typically shows the challenges teams face at Imola, a particularly demanding track for drivers. While Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll made the most of their newfound pace, other teams struggled to optimize performance on the softer tire compound.
Further notable moments from qualifying included Carlos Sainz Jnr’s rising dominance in the Williams team race against Alexander Albon, now leading the qualifying tally at 4-3. Meanwhile, some established drivers had unexpected challenges, with Charles Leclerc failing to reach Q3 for the first time this year and Nico Hulkenberg facing a streak of first-round eliminations.
The Imola Grand Prix showcases how quickly fortunes can shift in Formula 1, and Alonso’s performance represents a hopeful sign for Aston Martin as they aim to build on this momentum in the races ahead. The anticipation for tomorrow’s race, where tire strategies and car upgrades will be put to the test, promises an exciting spectacle for fans and teams alike.