At last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Alonso secured his fourth podium of the 2023 season after securing a front-row grid position, only to lose 1-2 to an unstoppable Red Bull led by Max Verstappen, after The winner from ninth place won the race.

His fourth podium finish in five races prompted the Spaniard to start aiming higher, even if Aston needed Red Bull’s misfortune to challenge for victory.

“I think being on the podium at the beginning of the year is a great thing. Now after four podiums we obviously want more, at least second,” said Alonso.

“But the two Red Bulls are always unbreakable and they are always super fast. But maybe Monaco, maybe Barcelona we have a possibility.”

Team boss Clarke urged the team to be realistic and said they would not take their current podium position for granted given the level of competition at Mercedes and Ferrari.

“Keep your feet on the ground, you should never be on the podium in F1 the way you’ve always been or the way you’ve been given,” he said when asked if the podium was the start for the team that finished seventh in the 2022 championship. When it felt normal, Clark replied.

“It takes a lot of hard work to get on the podium and there are very, very strong competitors in Formula 1, very professional.

“If we’re not 100 per cent in all areas at any point, then there’s no podium.”

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, 3rd, celebrates his arrival at Parc Ferme with his team

Photography: Zak Mauger / motorsport pictures

Instead of trying to catch Red Bull, Clarke admitted his side would do well to hold on to a shocking second place in the standings.

Ferrari has shown flashes of excellent lap speed but is struggling to maintain a consistent race pace, while Mercedes will bring new sidepods, floor panels to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in a fortnight and front suspension.

If both teams can take a substantial step forward, Aston will face a tough task of staying ahead with 18 rounds to go. Despite the difficulties, Mercedes is only six points behind its client team.

Looking ahead to the grueling triple race against Imola, Monaco and Spain, Clarke said: “It’s very tough for man and machine because it’s three weekends in a row.

“With Monaco in the middle, it was logistically very, very difficult.

“Everyone brings stuff, and we bring stuff. So I think it adds a little extra work to everybody, to let them know what you’ve done in terms of installing the parts.

“It’s going to be very challenging, but we’re looking forward to it.”