Antonio Lobato Debunks Fernando Alonso: Not Just the Engine’s Fault; Aston Martin Remains Slow in Aerodynamics, The Car Was the Worst or Second-Worst in the Corners

Fernando Alonso scored again in Zandvoort. The AMR26 mounted the new Honda engine and further aerodynamic updates from Adrian Newey, and the result was a one-lap speed that was acceptable, a race pace that was very good, and tire wear that was excellent. Alonso even radioed that “he loved driving this car,” but not everyone agrees.

According to Antonio Lobato, Aston Martin remains one of the worst cars on the grid in terms of both engine and chassis and aerodynamics. Contradicting Alonso’s words, who says the car has improved a lot. The stopwatch also says so. But Lobato sees the situation quite differently.

“The worst car in medium corner, tenth in fast, and ninth in slow”

The points Fernando Alonso scored at Zandvoort did not impress Antonio Lobato. The Asturian managed to climb nine positions with magnificent race pace and almost zero tire wear, achieving his best result of the season. However, Lobato does not see that Aston Martin has improved.

In the general discussion he participates in on SoyMotor, Lobato said that “Aston Martin is almost the worst in everything still, except Cadillac. It is the slowest car in a straight line, in the fast corner I think it was second to last, in the slow corner third to last and in the middle corner the worst.” That is Lobato’s assessment of Aston Martin’s weekend.

A analysis that clashes head-on with what Fernando Alonso said after the race. The Asturian driver not only said on the radio that he loved driving that car, but later clarified that “we have improved the car, especially the chassis. When the tires wear out you can see the quality of the car, and there Aston Martin stands out. We are happy with the direction taken with the chassis“.

In fact, Alonso pointed directly at the engine and top speed as the main ballast of the Aston Martin’s current state. And indeed the newHonda power unit ran partially limited in its power, as maneuverability issues and gear changes arose, something expected with a new engine and something that will need refining now.

Anyone who watched the race with the TV on could observe how Alonso approached his rivals in the most winding section. And the data backs it up. Indeed there were medium-speed corners, those where Lobato says the Aston Martin is the worst car, in which Alonso was literally the fastest driver of the race. Specifically, between turns 7 and 9.

Even Amanda Newey, Adrian Newey’s wife, has responded ironically to Lobato’s words with a “Who?”. Although we know that the feud between Alonso and Lobato goes beyond what happens on track and spilled into a personal quarrel years ago.

Images | Aston Martin, Cadena SER