Fernando Alonso Blasts Las Vegas GP: “The Asphalt is Unsafe and Below F1 Standards!”
In a stunning revelation following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, racing ace Fernando Alonso has unleashed a fierce critique of the track conditions, declaring that the asphalt is perilously close to being unsafe for Formula 1 cars. The seasoned driver, who finished the race in a disappointing 11th place after qualifying 7th in challenging wet conditions, did not hold back in voicing his frustrations.
Alonso’s race was marred from the outset as he lost ground due to a controversial maneuver by Liam Lawson, which also involved fellow competitors Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. As the race unfolded, Alonso found himself slipping down the ranks, eventually dropping to 13th place due to strategic decisions by rival teams and the surprisingly strong performance of the Haas cars. However, with McLaren’s disqualifications later in the race, Alonso managed to claw his way back to an 11th-place finish.
Reflecting on his performance, Alonso candidly admitted, “We didn’t have the pace; it was very complicated in the free practice sessions. Beyond the qualifying in the rain, we simply weren’t fast enough to deserve points. We were somewhat slow on top speed, making it difficult to battle on track. We’ll try again next week.”
The Spaniard also addressed the incident with Lawson, stating, “I had a good start, but Liam went inside and pushed Piastri, Leclerc, and me off the track. I don’t know if it was investigated. The car was fine; there were no damages or aerodynamic changes; we just lacked pace.”
But it was Alonso’s scathing assessment of the Las Vegas circuit that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community. He described the track as “fun” due to its high-speed nature but insisted that the quality of the asphalt does not meet F1 standards. “It’s too slippery; we can’t get the tires to the right temperature, there’s no grip, and it’s extremely uneven. It’s on the edge of safety for racing. We need to have a serious conversation with the FIA about whether this is acceptable for the future.”
Alonso didn’t stop there; he also expressed his concerns regarding the timing of the Las Vegas GP in the F1 calendar. “To be honest, it’s tough for us. The time zone difference and distance from Europe make it challenging; we just had Brazil two weeks ago and now we’re heading straight to Qatar with a 17-hour flight and a 13-hour time difference. I can’t imagine any other sport in the world tolerating this kind of scheduling.”
He acknowledged the reasoning behind the race weekend, citing the calmness of Las Vegas before Thanksgiving, but challenged the logic: “If that’s the case, we should hold Monaco in February when things are quieter there. There are definitely things to consider.”
Alonso’s bold statements bring to light significant concerns about track safety and the logistical issues faced by drivers in the current F1 calendar. As one of the sport’s most experienced figures, his insights could provoke necessary changes for future races. Will the FIA heed his warnings, or will the asphalt issues continue to overshadow the spectacle of Formula 1 racing? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Alonso’s voice will not be ignored.
