With the AMR23 topping the timing sheets, all the hype around the alleged wind tunnel numbers and possible race winning pace looks to be true.
Alonso went a tenth quicker than Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in FP2 – and appeared incredibly strong on the long run averages – only a couple of tenths off the reigning champion. Although the Spaniard is rather coy about his chances and says he’s “not thinking” about getting pole position, the feeling in the paddock is that Team Silverstone are at least ahead of Mercedes – and probably Ferrari as well.
Despite their speed, Red Bull remain the favourites – even after a day where Verstappen admitted he’s still trying to find a rhythm after the team were chasing a suitable car balance for the RB19.
“FP1 was really bad,” said the Dutchman when asked about how he felt the first Friday of the season went. “I just couldn’t get a balance, which was a bit odd because in testing whatever we tried, some things were maybe not amazing, but not that far out.
“So, [there’s] a few things to understand, even the start of FP2 was a bit difficult.
“But then I think for the final run, even though not really having a good reference and confidence up until then in the car, the lap was not too bad in the short run and also the car felt a bit more connected.
“And then in the long run, with all the changes we made, I was quite surprised that it was the pace we had.
“I just need to find my rhythm again with the car and just the way the car is driving from short run to long run.”
Ferrari and Mercedes behind rivals
After Aston Martin’s leap, Ferrari and Mercedes look to have taken a step back. The Prancing Horse didn’t look entirely convincing on the long runs with Leclerc’s average around 7- tenths slower than Verstappen.
The Monegasque believes that the team doesn’t have the performance for pole but feels Aston will drop back come qualifying.
He told F1 TV: “I don’t think we have the performance maybe for pole.
“It’s still early days. I think that Aston is a bit quicker than they will be tomorrow. We don’t know, it’s just what I think.
However, he did allude to the fact that the car felt better during testing, as he was often given adventurous setups to experiment with – that often lead to an understeering car.
His teammate Carlos Sainz’ on the other hand, who had a big spin at turn 9 during FP1, was struggling with the balance of the SF-23 and ended the day down in 14th place, however, believes he can still deliver a competitive qualifying lap.
“Simply the car is not exactly responding as I expect or as it did in testing,” said the Spaniard.
“I’m struggling a bit more with the balance. It’s a bit more out of place compared to where it was.
“But we’re having a good look at it. We expect to put it back together for tomorrow.”
The Merc’s limitations were evident – an unstable rear end that would often lead to a break in traction on corner exit which seemed to get worse as the long run progressed, although not as bad as the balance problems the team observed during day 2 of testing.
Hamilton and Russell ended FP2 8th and 12th respectively, with the former acknowledging the team is “a long way off” and says that it will be “quite hard with the concept we have” for them to close the gap.
“We found out we are a long way off,” said the 7- time champion when asked about what he learned from free practice.
“We kind of knew that already from the test but it’s a big gap. Just trying everything I can out there, it is what it is, we’ve just got to work at it.”
Hamilton said that the team will change things, but it won’t be enough to close a gap he reckons is a second to Red Bull.
“I think I’ve got the car to the best place I can get it set-up wise.
“So, we’ll continue to tweak little bits here and there, but it’s going to be small bits here and there which is milliseconds, it’s not going to be closing the gap of a second.
“Nonetheless, we’ll keep our heads down tonight, we’ll go through the data, we’ll continue to work and to progress tomorrow.”
Alpine also looked strong with Gasly outpacing the Mercedes on both the short and long runs and Hulkenberg put in a quick lap for Haas to finish the session in fifth place on his return to the sport.
Of course, we don’t know the fuel levels and engine modes the teams ran throughout the day and Red Bull are expected to turn the wick up come Q3. But it does look like so far at least, Fernando Alonso is their biggest threat to winning the opening Grand Prix comfortably.
Photo: Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team