Fresh from the summer shutdown, we're back in the paddock for the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix. Read on for Lance and Fernando's thoughts from across the weekend.
In a challenging Dutch Grand Prix by the seaside, Fernando and Lance duelled with drivers out on the dunes to finish P10 and P13 respectively, picking up a valuable point in our first race back from the summer break.
Sunday round-up and reaction
After a weekend of mixed weather, the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix had dry conditions throughout.
Both drivers began the race on Medium tyres, with Fernando starting from seventh. After Lance qualified ninth, a penalty for Alex Albon meant Lance started the race from P8.
Our drivers had similar strategies, both pitting for the Hard compound tyre and continuing on them until the end of the race. Lance pitted at the end of Lap 30, with Fernando making his stop a lap later.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Race
"We knew we had some faster cars starting behind us today, so it wasn't a surprise to see [Lewis] Hamilton and [Carlos] Sainz passing us. From that point on, the focus was on holding position as we didn't really have the pace in the car to challenge for more. We'll debrief on this weekend and then shift our focus to Monza, knowing we need to keep pushing to bring additional performance."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Race
"We knew that the top-four teams would take the top-eight positions today, so our fight was for P9 and P10. However, we didn't have the pace we needed and Pierre [Gasly] did a better job than us, so we had to settle for P10 and one point.
"It was a challenging race and we need to do more to understand the car to find where we can improve. We'll work through the data, both here and at the Campus, before racing again next week in Italy."
Mike Krack | Team Principal
"A disappointing Dutch Grand Prix - although we did manage to secure a hard-earned point. We knew it would be tough with some faster cars behind. [Pierre] Gasly managed to overtake Fernando on the first lap and we weren't able to get back in front at a track which doesn't provide many overtaking opportunities.
"With such fine margins, Lance locked up entering the pitlane which meant he exceeded the pit lane speed limit triggering a five second penalty but that didn't change the result. After a positive Qualifying we were still not quick enough today especially against the midfield challengers. We now need to refocus our energy and attention on the next challenge in Monza next weekend."
Next up
We're making our way to Lombardy for Round 16 of the 2024 Formula One World Championship at the Italian Grand Prix.
Saturday
It was a rainy day in Zandvoort, and Free Practice Three was affected by the wet conditions.
Lance and Fernando began Free Practice on Intermediates tyres before a Red Flag put a pause to running. The session resumed with just two minutes to go, allowing both drivers to get some last-minute data on their Intermediates.
Track conditions were dry for Qualifying, allowing Lance and Fernando to use Softs throughout the session.
Both drivers got through to Q3 and will start the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix from inside the top ten.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Qualifying
"I had a really strong Q2, putting in a purple first sector and finishing that session in P4. I couldn't quite replicate that during my one push lap in Q3 though. I was pushing hard but got a bit out of shape. Still, two cars in Q3 is a good result for the team.
"The changes we made ahead of Qualifying have been positive and we managed the session well. We have some faster cars behind us tomorrow, but it can be tough to overtake here so we should be able to fight for some good points from P9."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Qualifying
"I am happy with my Qualifying today and both cars in Q3 is a positive result for us. It felt like a lottery sometimes out on track depending on how gusty it was, particularly in Turns 9 and 10. I wasn't too comfortable in Q1 and Q2, but in the end I was happy with my lap in Q3. I felt like it was the maximum we could achieve today.
"Tomorrow the weather looks clear, so we will need to execute a good race and battle hard to keep some fast cars behind us."
Mike Krack | Team Principal
"It's great to be back on track here in Zandvoort as we start the second half of the 2024 F1 season. Variable conditions have kept us on our toes so far this weekend at this coastal location. We've put together a positive qualifying session together this afternoon in a very close competition.
"Both Lance and Fernando drove really well to get both cars through into Q3. It is always our target to get both cars starting in the Top 10 and we've achieved that today. Lance in particular had a monster lap in Q2 to secure the fourth fastest time. It will be a long race tomorrow but from P7 and P9 we can race to bring home a strong points finish in front of this wonderful crowd and electric atmosphere."
Next up
The 2024 Dutch Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 14:00 BST.
Friday
To begin the weekend of action out on the dunes, Lance and Fernando familiarised themselves with the track on Wet tyres following rain in Zandvoort.
Our drivers opted for similar strategies during Free Practice One, switching to Intermediates. Then, when the track began to dry up, their final stints were done on Soft tyres.
More dry running took place in FP2, with both Lance and Fernando starting on Mediums and ending on Softs.
Gathering data in the dry conditions could prove invaluable for the Grand Prix, as rain is forecast throughout Saturday followed by drier conditions during Sunday's race.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Free Practice
"It's good to get back on track after a couple of weeks off. This is a great circuit and we got some dry running in the second session which is valuable. We worked through our run plans and learned a lot, so it was a productive Friday. Tonight we'll do our homework and see what we can improve ahead of Qualifying tomorrow."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Free Practice
"It's good to be back and it feels so fast after four weeks without driving a Formula One car. It's a fun track and the conditions were very difficult today, with very high winds and some rain around in FP1. Through the corners you could really feel the wind but it was the same for everyone. Tomorrow will be a little more unpredictable with the weather, so let's see what we can do."
Duking it out among the dunesDuking it out among the dunes
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