A smart tire pick helped Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll snag a surprising fifth and sixth place in the qualifying round for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The big question on everyone’s mind: Is Aston Martin’s newfound performance the real deal?
Imola welcomed Pirelli’s fresh C6 compound for the 2025 season, even softer than the C5. The aim was to inject some excitement into races on street circuits and prevent the monotony of one-stop strategies. While Pirelli took a bold step bringing the softest compound to Imola, not all teams were convinced. They approached the weekend with trepidation, unsure of how the C6 tires would hold up in qualifying.
During Friday’s practice, the tires seemed to perform well. However, as qualifying heated up, it became clear that the C5, designated as the medium tire for the weekend, was just as fast – if not faster – on a single lap and more consistent. Pirelli was left scratching its head as the data didn’t show a significant drop-off in the final sector due to the quicker degradation of the C6 tires.
This unexpected turn of events worked in Aston Martin’s favor. The team had made a strategic decision to save an extra set of medium tires at the expense of a second set of hards for the race. Alonso and Stroll both made it to Q3 on mediums and had an additional set in reserve, securing fifth and sixth place finishes.
Aston Martin’s tire choice had been made prior to the weekend, sticking to their guns throughout the sessions. The team also introduced a comprehensive upgrade package, with initial feedback indicating a positive step forward. But how much of their qualifying success can be attributed to the tire choice? And can they replicate this performance as they strive to improve their season after a rocky start in the midfield?
Alonso believes the upgrades played a significant role, as he felt competitive on both the medium and soft tires. Despite the optimistic times, he acknowledged that the team was not in the same dire situation as the first race in Miami. Looking ahead to the race, he remained cautious, prepared to potentially lose positions but hoping to maintain a strong pace.
While the two-time world champion sees progress with the team, he is more focused on the future under the new regulations in 2026. The journey has been filled with challenges in understanding upgrades and delivering expected lap times. However, this latest upgrade appears to be a step in the right direction.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Aston Martin’s strategic tire choice paid off at Imola. The unexpected performance boost has left many questioning the team’s real potential in the midfield. But hey, maybe it’s just me, but it feels like there’s a glimmer of hope for Aston Martin after all.
