Sports · Motorsport · 4 hrs ago
Alonso’s qualifying ends early after Aston Martin engine problem in Mexico
Fernando Alonso’s qualifying ended early after an Aston Martin power unit problem at the Mexico Grand Prix in Mexico City.
The car stopped during Q1, the first part of qualifying, with about 11 minutes left in the session.
Alonso had set a fast first lap and was in contention to reach Q2, but he finished 18th after making only one timed attempt.
He said the team had lost a major opportunity, though he thought a place around 12th or 13th was more realistic than reaching the final qualifying round.
Reports linked the fault to the system that cools the energy recovery system, but the exact diagnosis was not confirmed by Alonso.
The failure adds to a difficult season for Aston Martin and engine partner Honda, and Alonso said frustration had become a pattern this year.
A possible engine change could affect his race, but Alonso said he did not know whether one would be needed or whether it would bring a penalty.
Fernando Alonso qualified 18th for the Mexico Grand Prix after an engine-related problem ended his qualifying session early.
The Aston Martin driver managed only one flying lap before his car stopped in the stadium section during Q1.
Alonso had been among the fastest drivers who had set a time, but dropped into the elimination zone and finished 0.387 seconds short of Q2.
He said the failure cost him a significant opportunity and described his frustration as beyond imagination.
Alonso said Q3 would have been difficult, estimating his likely position at 12th or 13th.
- Who
- Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin.
- What
- An engine-related problem ended his qualifying session early, leaving him 18th on the grid.
- When
- October 31, 2026, during Q1 qualifying for the Mexico Grand Prix.
- Where
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, in the stadium section.
- Why
- A power-unit problem forced Alonso to stop. Reports linked the issue to water pressure or battery cooling in the ERS area.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alonso was seventh in the first practice session and 12th in the second, according to El Confidencial.
Alonso set a time on his first flying lap, then was told to stop his car with 11 minutes remaining in the session.
Alonso qualified 18th, 0.387 seconds short of Q2.
- Qualifying position
- 18th
- Flying laps completed
- 1
- Time remaining in Q1 when the car stopped
- 11 minutes
- Gap to Q2
- 0.387 seconds
- Estimated likely position
- 12th or 13th
5 sources
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What people are saying
Huge problems with temperatures for everybody
There is not much we can do. I think we lost a big opportunity.
So, yeah, frustration is beyond imagination. But this is the story of the year.
Posts on X
🔴 RED FLAG 🔴 Alonso has stopped his Aston Martin on track in Estadio 😮 #F1 #MexicoGP
Frustration for Fernando! 😨 He throws his hands up in despair as he is asked to stopped his car on track #F1 #MexicoGP