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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAston Martin’s Lance Stroll during qualifying for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Images: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAston Martin’s Lance Stroll during qualifying for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Images: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Speaking to Speedcafe, the team\u2019s global ambassador Pedro de la Rosa detailed a campaign that has fallen well short of expectations.<\/p>\n
Aston Martin has managed just one finish between its two drivers from the opening three rounds.<\/p>\n
That came when Fernando Alonso finished 18th and a lap down on winner Kimi Antonelli in Japan, underlining the scale of the challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve kept calm and united,\u201d de la Rosa said of the opening part of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously working on a very difficult scenario. Because firstly we were not expecting to be where we are right now. We were expecting to be a lot more competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo therefore it has been difficult to accept.\u201d<\/p>\n
Win a limited edition 1:18 scale model #8 BJR Camaro. Enter Now. <\/a> The early-season struggles have been compounded by severe high-frequency vibrations linked to the Honda power unit, an issue that has not only hurt performance but also taken a physical toll on both Alonso and Lance Stroll.<\/p>\n At its worst, Alonso reported losing feeling in his hands and feet during the Chinese Grand Prix<\/a>, forcing his retirement.<\/p>\n Behind the scenes, however, de la Rosa said progress is being made \u2014 even if it has yet to translate into results.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have improved. It\u2019s difficult to talk about improvements from when you see it from the outside,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut actually there\u2019s a lot of work that behind the scenes that is actually taking place as we speak.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been encouraging the response from the whole team really to stay patient and united.\u201d<\/p>\n Pedro de la Rosa with Lance Stroll. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n He pointed to significant steps in addressing the vibration problem since pre-season running, alongside ongoing aerodynamic development.<\/p>\n \u201cThe vibration issues, we have been mitigating them. Massively since the Barcelona test,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cSo every time that the drivers jump into the car, we have improved on that.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then there is also the development on the car, which we brought an aero package in Australia. And that made the car a lot faster.\u201d<\/p>\n Further updates have continued to arrive, with Aston Martin introducing new components in Japan in a bid to unlock further performance.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just developing the car like we should at a very good pace,\u201d de la Rosa said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t changed our approach because of the vibration problems.\u201d<\/p>\n While the issues have proven frustrating, de la Rosa was keen to stress the importance of transparency.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important to be transparent and clear. Explain the issues we are experiencing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to be. We\u2019re extremely open.<\/p>\n \u201cAdrian [Newey, team principal] was very open in Australia. And we really need to be.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no point in hiding or trying to make our issues smaller because the only way of actually getting on top of everything is just being very realistic.\u201d<\/p>\n Central to that response has been the influence of Newey, whose arrival has brought renewed focus as the team attempts to navigate its early crisis.<\/p>\n And despite recent speculation that Newey was set to step down as team principal<\/a> to focus purely on the design aspects of the AMR26, de la Rosa said he was the perfect leader for the team.<\/p>\n \u201cThe beauty about Adrian is that he can say the things that others can only think, but he can also make the things that others can only think,\u201d de la Rosa added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s the person that leads by example. Listens to everyone, especially to the drivers. And then comes up with solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all know what the problems can be in a race car at one point. Those engineers that actually come up with the solutions are the ones that make the car faster and win championships.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Adrian is one of them definitely. So he\u2019s an inspiration. He\u2019s a true leader.\u201d<\/p>\n Fernando Alonso gave the team their first race finish of the year in Japan. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n Despite incremental gains \u2014 including an \u201c80 percent improvement\u201d with the vibration issue trialled in Japan before being shelved due to reliability concerns<\/a> \u2014 Aston Martin continues to face a steep climb.<\/p>\n Performance remains lacking across the board, while reliability issues have limited valuable track time.<\/p>\n That lack of mileage has only been exacerbated by disruptions to the early calendar, something de la Rosa believes has hurt more than helped.<\/p>\n \u201cI am of the opinion that the best way to develop a race car is racing,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I see it as something that it isn\u2019t good for our case in the sense that we are trying to learn as much as we can of with the new regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are behind schedule. We have completed a lot less laps, race laps, and test laps, during these first two races.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I would rather go racing every weekend to be able that we can we can improve faster.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it is what it is, and it is the same for everyone. So we also will have more time really to regroup and work behind the scenes.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning is always special in Formula 1. When you\u2019re a long time Formula 1 you realise how difficult it is actually to win.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you appreciate more the effort that you need to make to be competitive.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you actually manage to get a huge workforce of over 1200 people aligned, working well as a team united, and you managed to succeed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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