Fernando Alonso’s milestone 400th Grand Prix hasn’t started as he’d hoped, with a red flag during Q2 at the Mexico City GP dashing his chance for a top-10 grid spot. The Aston Martin veteran, who ultimately qualified 13th, was left frustrated as Yuki Tsunoda’s off-track moment halted his final flying lap. Alonso believes he was on track for a strong finish in Q2, saying, “I was two tenths and a half up on my previous time, so I think P8 or P9 was possible.”
Alonso’s weekend in Mexico has been an uphill battle, with struggles in free practice casting doubts on his Saturday chances. But the two-time world champion felt his form had turned around by qualifying, explaining that the car felt “a lot better than practice.” Despite a tough FP3, where he finished 15th, Alonso found himself more comfortable during qualifying. “We didn’t change much, to be honest,” he shared, noting the team’s minimal adjustments. “We have to go through a little bit of numbers and small changes we made because the car felt a lot better in qualifying, so let’s find out why.”
Aston Martin has endured an inconsistent season, especially with race pace, but Alonso remains optimistic about Sunday’s battle despite his mid-pack starting position. Aware of the circuit’s demands and the tough fight ahead, he’s focused on pushing forward. “Let’s see,” Alonso said of his race outlook. “Normally Saturday is a little bit better than Sundays for us; we always struggle more on the race pace, so I don’t expect miracles, but at the same time, I’m ready to fight.”
In a race that will demand tire management, careful engine cooling, and strategy, Alonso sees simply finishing as an accomplishment. “Seeing the chequered flag will be a first priority,” he remarked, well aware that points could be tough to secure. Still, the Spaniard’s milestone race serves as a testament to his resilience and commitment to competing, ready to push his way forward and celebrate 400 races by battling through the pack.
