--- title: "Alonso’s Refusal To Pass Aston Martin F1 Teammate Stroll Raises Eyebrows" date: "2023-06-05" modified: "2023-06-05" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/alonsos-refusal-to-attack-aston-martin-f1-teammate-stroll-raises-eyebrows" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Alonso’s Refusal To Pass Aston Martin F1 Teammate Stroll Raises Eyebrows ![]() *\Getty\* The [Aston Martin]() [Formula 1]() Team didn't enjoy the best of weekends after seeing its season-long podium-earning performance fizzle into midfield levels at Sunday's [2023 Spanish F1 Grand Prix](). The odd occurrence was made even more bizarre after the team's star driver, [Fernando Alonso](), decided to not attack his teammate Lance Stroll in the closing stages of the race. Alonso was running in seventh place and Stroll sixth with just 10 laps to go, when the Spaniard came on the radio to say that he would take "no risks" and stay in place. So far, it appears it was a voluntary decision as no team orders were broadcasted. Making things even weirder, however, is the fact that Alonso had newer tires and a stronger pace than Stroll. “It was 10 laps to the end, I had a little bit fresher tires—but like one or two tenths faster than him, no more than that,” Alonso told media after the race, according to *[RaceFans]()*. “I will not get crazy. I damaged one floor yesterday, I didn’t want to damage another one today, or he \[Stroll\] damages \[his\] floor or anything just try to secure the place. For us it’s the same: sixth and seventh, and seventh and sixth." ![]() **Getty** I don't buy into every conspiracy theory about intra-team politics because, well, most of the time they are BS. However, this interaction stands out and raises some eyebrows. For starters, "one or two-tenths faster" is nothing to scoff at. In fact, it's a strong advantage to have over any rival on the track—not to mention the fresher tires. And then there's Alonso's own words saying he didn't want to "get crazy" and risk damaging his floor, or Stroll damaging his while defending. Does the two-time world champion really not believe he could've made a clean pass in a faster car with more grip? Absurdity. This year's Spanish Grand Prix enjoyed plenty of passing—plenty of *clean* passing—and its revised layout created a good show for the fans. For such a talented driver to say that he didn't want to risk damaging both cars is puzzling to say the least. Is it possible that Alonso, Stroll, and [Aston Martin]() team bosses met pre-race and agreed to hold positions if they found themselves in this situation during the race? Yes. Is it possible that Alonso voluntarily chose to forego a few points to please Daddy Stroll and Baby Stroll? Also yes. Is it disappointing to see Alonso not hunt down all of his rivals? Absolutely. "If you no longer go for a gap, you're no longer a racing driver," three-time Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna famously said back in the '90s. While the catchy phrase has certainly been used as an excuse for many unwise passing maneuvers throughout the years, it's one that should remain in the minds of the world's best racing drivers—especially when there seem to be no team orders involved. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()