Fernando Alonso — 2024 season

Fernando Alonso's 2024 Formula 1 season with Aston Martin was characterized by a determined effort to extract performance from a fluctuating AMR24, resulting in a ninth-place championship finish without a podium. After a promising start to the ground-effect era in 2023, the 2024 campaign presented a different challenge for the two-time world champion.

Going in

Following a strong showing in the early part of the 2023 season, where Aston Martin surprised many with their pace, expectations for 2024 were tempered by the team's mid-season dip the previous year. The technical regulations, centered around tunnel-floor ground-effect and 18-inch wheels, continued to evolve, and the field had demonstrably closed up compared to the Red Bull dominance of 2022–2023. Alonso, having extended his contract with Aston Martin, entered the season with a clear mandate to lead the team's development and maximize every opportunity, a role he has embraced throughout his storied career. For a broader understanding of the current technical landscape, one can consult Wikipedia: Formula One for details on the ground-effect era.

How it played out

The season began with a solid run of points finishes, demonstrating Alonso's ability to capitalize on the AMR24's early potential. He secured a fifth-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and followed it with a sixth in Japan and a seventh in China, often outperforming the car's perceived pace. This initial phase saw him consistently in the top ten, accumulating valuable points for Aston Martin. However, the mid-season proved more challenging. Races like Monaco and Austria saw him finish outside the points, and a difficult Emilia Romagna Grand Prix resulted in a 19th-place finish after starting from the pit lane following a qualifying crash. This period highlighted the AMR24's inconsistent performance across different circuit characteristics, a common theme for many teams in this competitive era. Alonso's resilience was evident, however, as he navigated these troughs, often being the team's primary points scorer. For context on how other top drivers faced similar challenges with car development shifts, one might look at Lewis Hamilton — 2023 season.

Defining moments

While the season didn't yield any podiums, several races underscored Alonso's enduring skill. His performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, securing a sixth-place finish from a sixth-place grid slot, showcased his race craft and ability to hold position in challenging conditions. Conversely, the Mexican Grand Prix marked his only DNF of the season, retiring with brake issues after just 15 laps. A later resurgence saw him secure a sixth place in Azerbaijan and a seventh in Qatar, demonstrating that when the car found its window, Alonso was there to deliver. These results were crucial for Aston Martin in the constructors' championship, battling a tightly packed midfield. The overall landscape of Formula 1, as detailed on the , shows just how competitive the midfield battles have become.