News Summary
- Fernando Alonso qualified 21st at Monza after a car problem kept him in the garage at the end of Q1.
- The Aston Martin driver said the issue cost him the chance to use a new set of soft tyres and improve his lap time.
- Alonso will start 18th after several grid penalties reshuffled the field, with Aston Martin also moving Lance Stroll forward.
Aston Martin’s recent progress came to an abrupt halt at the Italian GP, as both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were eliminated in Q1 and initially occupied the final row of the qualifying classification.
Alonso ended the session in 21st after a problem with his car prevented him from returning to the track for a final attempt. Without that run, the two-time Formula 1 world champion was unable to improve his lap time and was left behind the rest of the field.
The Spaniard said Aston Martin was investigating the issue but did not provide further details.
“We are investigating a problem with the car that kept us in the garage at the end of Q1,” Alonso said.
The incident also meant Alonso lost the opportunity to fit a fresh set of soft tyres for his final attempt.
“We lost the opportunity to use a new set of soft tyres, which meant our qualifying ended earlier than expected as we couldn’t improve the time,” he explained.
The lack of a final run was particularly costly at Monza, where small margins can make a significant difference. Alonso also acknowledged that Aston Martin is struggling for straight-line performance at a circuit where engine power and low drag are crucial.
“We know we are behind our rivals, especially with the lack of pace we have on the straights, which makes life very difficult for us at this circuit,” Alonso concluded.
Alonso’s qualifying result was initially listed as 21st, with Stroll 22nd, but both Aston Martin drivers gained positions following grid penalties handed to several rivals for power unit component changes.
As a result, Alonso will start 18th, while Stroll will also move up from his original qualifying position.
The disappointing qualifying result comes after Aston Martin had shown signs of improvement in recent Grands Prix. However, Monza’s long straights exposed one of the team’s weaknesses and left Alonso facing a difficult recovery drive on Sunday.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
FAQ
Where will Fernando Alonso start the Italian GP?
Alonso will start 18th at Monza. He qualified 21st but gained three positions after grid penalties were applied to other drivers.
Why did Alonso fail to improve in Q1?
A problem with his Aston Martin kept Alonso in the garage at the end of Q1, preventing him from completing his final qualifying attempt. He therefore also missed the chance to use a fresh set of soft tyres.
Why is Aston Martin struggling at Monza?
Alonso pointed specifically to Aston Martin’s lack of pace on the straights. Monza places a particularly strong emphasis on straight-line speed, making that weakness more difficult to overcome.
