Fernando Alonso is feeling optimistic heading into the Dutch Grand Prix, even after acknowledging that battling for pole position against the McLarens might be out of reach. After an impressive Free Practice 2 session, where he finished only 0.087 seconds behind pacesetter Lando Norris, Alonso is keen to build on Aston Martin's momentum.

In Free Practice 1, Alonso also showcased his speed with a fourth-fastest time, signaling a significant turnaround for Aston Martin. This comes on the heels of a standout performance in Hungary, where Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll secured fifth and seventh positions, respectively—marking the team’s best results of the season.

"I feel a bit more optimistic than during some previous Fridays," Alonso remarked about his outlook for the race weekend. "Our strong showing in Hungary carried over into Zandvoort. Although it’s just practice, having our times up there is promising, and I’m eager to see what tomorrow brings."

However, Alonso remained cautious, understanding the fierce competition he faces. "I don’t think we can quite compete with McLaren, but we’re closing in on teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Our goal is to stay in that mix and make the most of the situation."

Teammate Lance Stroll had a day of highs and lows; he clocked the third fastest time in FP1 but encountered a major setback in FP2 with a crash at the challenging Turn 3. Fortunately, he reported no injuries but confirmed significant damage to his car.

"It was just a little lock-up, and after that, I couldn’t do anything—it’s one of those racing things," Stroll explained. Despite the incident, he shared Alonso's optimism, stating, "We looked competitive throughout the day, and with Fernando’s performance in FP2, I think we’re in a solid position for the race."