Aston Martin strategy computer had Fernando Alonso leading Monaco Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso would have led the Monaco Grand Prix had Aston Martin not brought him in for slick tyres, according to the team’s strategy analysis.

Fernando Alonso celebrates after finishing second in Monaco. (Aston Martin F1)

Alonso pitted for slick tyres on lap 54 as the rain began to fall in Monaco, having to come into the pits again on the following lap for the Intermediate compound.

The Spaniard had reigning in Verstappen’s 10-second lead of the grand prix as the championship leader struggled in the wet conditions on his 54-lap-old soft tyres. Verstappen finally pitted on lap 55, returning to track around 20 seconds ahead of the Aston Martin driver - the amount of time lost in Alonso’s second stop.

“The computer system says that if we had gone to inters, we would have probably come in front of Max,” said team boss Mike Krack.

“But that does not mean we would have won the race.”

“So yes, with the full benefit of hindsight, that would have been the case. But when you make the decisions, you have to rely on the data that you have. And that is also why I said before, we are not gambling.”

Krack has emphasised that the team is data-driven but can only work on the information they have on hand at that moment.

“So, from that point of view, everything was working as you should have it work. And it's clear that with the benefit of hindsight you might sometimes do things different.”

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