Fernando Alonso shared a positive update regarding his back injury after missing his first practice session at the Hungarian Grand Prix. On Friday morning, Aston Martin confirmed that Alonso would sit out of the opening practice due to a muscle injury in his back, which he had been managing since the Belgian Grand Prix.
The team explained, “After continuing his treatment this morning, Fernando decided not to participate in FP1.” Felipe Drugovich stepped in to drive alongside Lance Stroll during the first practice session. Alonso returned to his Aston Martin car for FP2, finishing with the fifth-fastest time, just 0.6 seconds behind Randnoris. He is set to race for Aston Martin throughout the weekend.
Encouragingly, Aston Martin looks strong this weekend and is a legitimate contender for Q3 spots, with Lance Stroll already in his fourth Q2 run. After FP2, Alonso confirmed he was driving without pain, stating, “It’s the same as yesterday and expected to remain so through the weekend. I have a minor muscle injury in the lower back and need rest, but with the summer break approaching and treatments like the air pad, I felt no pain during FP2.”
At 44, Alonso is the oldest driver on the grid, yet his age doesn’t hinder his performance. He has competed in the last 25 races consecutively, starting from last year’s British Grand Prix. Alonso added, “There’s always some pain or discomfort here and there. We conducted an MRI last week which revealed minor muscle injuries. Normally, a regular person would rest for over two weeks, but I think managing it is straightforward, as being in the car is what matters most to me.”
Fan Take: Alonso’s resilience is a testament to his legendary status and dedication, giving fans hope for a strong performance despite his injury. His ability to remain competitive at this stage in his career is inspiring and adds an exciting layer of depth to the F1 season.
