Aston Martin looking like “Awesome Martin” after great start
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates after he took third place at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ariel Schalit]
With re-branding commonplace in Formula One this Aston Martin team might consider calling itself “Awesome Martin” after a stunning start to the season at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso showed his talent is not fading at the advanced age of 41 by finishing third to give the Spanish driver a 99th podium in his team debut. Although Alonso impressed in pre-season testing, when his teammate Lance Stroll was recovering from injury, he still felt he was dreaming after only his second podium since 2014. Red Bull already seems too far ahead with a dominant Max Verstappen leading an 1-2 ahead of Sergio Perez. But could Aston Martin jump past Mercedes and Ferrari to become the main challenger?
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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain, left, takes over Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ariel Schalit
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates after he took third place at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ariel Schalit
Frome the left, first placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands/, second placed Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico and third placed Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrate on the podium after the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Augstein