Alonso pins F1 hopes on Newey as Aston Martin goes backwards again

Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin ‘doesn’t deserve points’ in Formula 1’s Mexico Grand Prix, having qualified in 14th with team-mate Lance Stroll down in 19th.

As has often been the case this season, Aston Martin did well in free practice – with both Alonso and Stroll in the top 10 in FP2 – but failed to translate that pace into results when it came to competitive sessions.

Stroll lamented the fact that the AMR25 “generally goes backwards throughout the weekend”, adding: “I have no grip, no grip. It’s kind of what happens a lot. There’s good grip in the practice, and then you come into qualifying and there’s just no grip.”

Alonso wholeheartedly agreed, though he felt that slightly poorer Friday form than usual didn’t bode well. He branded Aston “slow the whole weekend” and expressed hope that Adrian Newey will find solutions in the future after joining the Silverstone-based outfit back in March.

“On Friday, normally we are P3, P5,” the two-time world champion pointed out. “So, when I was only P8 yesterday, I knew that it could be a tough weekend.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

“We knew Mexico and Vegas on paper are the worst tracks for us and, unfortunately, we confirmed it. Mexico has been always like that, unfortunately. We've been last, I think, in 2023, last in 2024, and now we are struggling in 2025,” Alonso added somewhat hyperbolically, having qualified 13th in both previous Mexico events.

“So there is something that still we didn't understand from this place. Let's see next year if Adrian understands more.”

In the meantime, Alonso will be “aggressive” on a first lap that he believes will be key in the battle for the points-scoring positions – which Aston Martin admittedly is unlikely to trouble.

“It's going to be tough, I think, without any anomaly in the race,” he conceded. “I think we don't deserve the points because we are not in the pace of the top 10.

“The first three corners are quite tight. Definitely too narrow for 20 cars. So, let's see how we go through the first chicane, and then if there is anything to gain there and fight for the points, we will give it all.”