Formula 1 started the weekend in Miami with difficulties for Aston Martin. Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso were eliminated still in SQ1 of the Sprint Qualifying, both affected by similar problems.
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The below-expected performance highlights the car’s limitations in intense heat conditions and reinforces the need for quick adjustments for the continuation of the Miami GP.
During the session, both drivers suffered from front wheel lock-ups, which compromised performance. Alonso also had a time deleted for exceeding track limits, worsening the team’s situation. Before that, in TL1, the duo had accumulated about 60 laps, trying to better understand the behavior of the AMR26.
Stroll explained the difficulties faced. “It was a complicated Friday for us in Miami. I expected to do one or two fast laps in Sprint Qualifying, but I had front lock-up and couldn’t set a time. We need to understand why this happened with both cars,” he said.
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Alonso also pointed out limitations in overall performance. “It was a difficult day for the team here in Miami. Honda has made improvements in vibrations since the first races, but we are still off pace. It is a process that takes time and we need to be patient,” said the Spaniard.
With both cars in the last positions of the Sprint grid, Aston Martin now focuses on data analysis to seek solutions. The expectation is to find adjustments that allow a reaction throughout the weekend, especially in a scenario of tight balance in the midfield pack.
Read more F2: Check out the starting grid for this Saturday’s Sprint in Miami
