Hungarian GP: Fernando Alonso Out of FP1 Due to Injury, Aston Martin F1 Confirms

Newsweek

6 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Aston Martin Formula One team has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will not be taking part in the Hungarian Grand Prix Free Practice 1 session due to a muscular injury in his back.
The Silverstone outfit revealed that Alonso was receiving treatment in the days leading up to the race at the Hungaroring. As a replacement for the Spaniard, Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will take the wheel of the AMR24 F1 car.
It is unclear if Alonso will be able to participate in FP2 and the rest of the race weekend. Aston Martin said in a statement:
"In the days following the Belgian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso has been managing a muscular injury in his back. As he continues with treatment this morning, he has chosen to sit out of FP1.
Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team seeks shelter under an umbrella in the pit lane during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2025 in Spa,...
Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team seeks shelter under an umbrella in the pit lane during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. More"Felipe Drugovich will drive in FP1 alongside Lance Stroll. A decision will then be made on Fernando's participation in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend in due course."
While the reason for Alonso's injury is not known, the news brings back memories of the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix during which his car was affected by intense porpoising, causing him severe back pain to the point where his mechanic had to assist him in getting out of the car after the race.
Although Alonso could have withdrawn mid-race due to the pain, he continued to push on for the mechanics, who worked hard to rebuild the car in a short span of time after both Aston Martin cars crashed in qualifying.
The 44-year-old driver was heard complaining of the pain on the team radio, but said in a determined tone that he would finish the race for his mechanics. He said:
"I will finish the race for the mechanics. They did a very good job today. But my back is hurting, man. This bouncing is not normal."
Revealing his heroic ordeal after finishing P14 in the Grand Prix, Alonso said:
"There was a lot of bouncing, a lot of porpoising in the second half of the race. I don't know why, but it was a tough race. We were out of the points.
"I think in any other circumstances, probably I would have stopped. But the mechanics did an incredible job before the race to put the car ready on the grid, so I had to finish it for them.
"It was painful, for sure. The lead-up to this race, it was a lot of preparation from my side, a lot of checks, a lot of work, a lot of physio and doctors in order to come here in Brazil.
"So it was a lot of effort from everybody: the same effort as the mechanics put today. It was not comfortable in the car. But there are people worse than me, also in Valencia, we have these terrible images [of the flood]. And people struggling. So I had to struggle a couple of laps for everybody."