News Summary
- Fernando Alonso has reaffirmed his criticism of driving standards in Formula 1 following his first-lap collision with Alex Albon at the United States Grand Prix.
- The Aston Martin driver says his comments were not directed at a specific number of competitors, but questioned the ambitions of drivers involved in repeated incidents and the cost of repairing damaged cars.
- Alonso also expressed optimism about the Mexican Grand Prix, highlighting Aston Martin’s performance in Austin and improvements in Honda’s power-unit development.
Fernando Alonso has stood by his criticism of Formula 1 driving standards following his collision with Alex Albon at the United States Grand Prix, insisting that the Williams driver’s first-lap move was unnecessary. Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix on Thursday (October 29), the Aston Martin driver clarified that his comments were not aimed at a specific number of competitors, but suggested that those who felt targeted could draw their own conclusions.
The two-time World Champion also questioned the ambitions of drivers who become involved in repeated collisions, arguing that unnecessary accidents create additional costs for teams operating under Formula 1’s spending cap. Alonso acknowledged that cars are more difficult to control towards the back of the grid, but maintained that this does not justify every incident.
Alonso refuses to retract criticism after Austin clash with Albon
Alonso was involved in a collision with Albon during the opening lap of Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas.
The Spaniard criticised the Williams driver’s manoeuvre after the race and questioned the standard of driving among some competitors towards the back of the field.
Asked about those remarks in Mexico, Alonso clarified that he had not intended to identify a precise group of drivers.
“I don’t know if it’s the bottom third of the grid, because I’ve since seen articles trying to pick out the seven or eight drivers, and I wasn’t referring to a specific number,” Alonso told AS.
“But I think we all know who we’re talking about. And those who felt targeted by that comment… that tells you everything.”
The Aston Martin driver reiterated that he considered the contact with Albon avoidable.
“I still think the same. It was an unnecessary mistake, and I still struggle to understand what opportunity Alex thought he saw at that moment,” he said.
Alonso added that his frustration was not limited to the incident in Austin.
“It’s not just Austin. I’ve had the misfortune of being in that part of the field throughout the season, and I see things from inside the car that… I can’t comment on here.”
Alonso acknowledges difficulties of racing at the back but criticises avoidable crashes
Alonso said that the problem was not new to Formula 1 and acknowledged the technical difficulties faced by drivers competing with less competitive cars.
He explained that reduced grip and unpredictable vehicle behaviour can make errors more frequent, particularly when drivers are battling in close proximity.
“It’s been the same over the years. The further back you are, the harder the car is to drive,” Alonso said.
“You have less grip, and it’s more common to make mistakes because you don’t have everything under control. The car isn’t comfortable, and you make mistakes.”
However, the Spaniard distinguished those difficulties from incidents he believes could have been avoided.
“But I don’t think all the first-lap incidents, the contact or the front wings flying off are necessary.”
Alonso also raised the financial consequences for teams.
“Especially when you’re fighting for nothing at the back of the grid and there’s a cost cap,” he continued.
“But if the teams are happy with the costs and the broken parts at every race, then go ahead.”
The comments follow an Austin weekend in which Alonso believed Aston Martin had the pace to compete for points before the contact with Albon compromised his race.
The incident added to a difficult season for the British team, which has struggled with the performance and reliability of its Honda-powered AMR26.
Alonso questions whether drivers want opportunities with leading F1 teams
Alonso was also asked whether Formula 1’s stewards should take a more active role in addressing the driving behaviour he had criticised.
The Spaniard rejected the suggestion that every questionable manoeuvre should become a disciplinary matter.
“It’s not the stewards’ job unless something unsafe happens,” he said.
Instead, Alonso suggested that drivers should consider the potential consequences of their performances and conduct for their future careers.
“But what ambitions do these drivers have for the future?” he asked.
“Whether they want to stay in Formula 1 for longer and have the opportunity to join a top team, or whether they’re happy just crashing.”
Alonso did not identify a definitive list of drivers to whom those comments applied.
His latest remarks nevertheless maintained the criticism he made after the United States Grand Prix, while clarifying that he was not referring to every competitor occupying a particular section of the championship standings.
Alonso hopes Mexico can end difficult run at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Away from the controversy, Alonso also discussed Aston Martin’s prospects for the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Spaniard will use a special helmet design during the weekend as he attempts to improve a difficult record at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
According to AS, Alonso has scored only 3 points across his nine previous visits to the Mexican circuit, with engine failures, brake problems and retirements affecting several of those appearances.
The two-time World Champion acknowledged that Mexico has not traditionally been a favourable venue for him.
“We try every year, but Mexico has always been difficult for us,” Alonso admitted.
However, he believes Aston Martin has reasons to approach the 2026 event with greater optimism.
“We’re coming here feeling optimistic this year. We were competitive in Austin and we believe the Mexico circuit could suit our performance.”
His assessment follows a United States Grand Prix in which the AMR26 showed encouraging pace despite Alonso’s race being compromised by the opening-lap contact.
The Spaniard hopes that competitiveness can carry over to Mexico, where the altitude places different demands on aerodynamics and power-unit operation.
Alonso sees encouraging signs in Honda’s engine development
Alonso also addressed the progress of Aston Martin’s Honda power unit.
The Japanese manufacturer has experienced significant difficulties during its first season under the 2026 regulations, including problems with combustion performance, turbo response and acceleration.
However, Alonso believes the technical lessons gathered during recent races have provided useful direction.
“The engine seems to be heading in the right direction with what we learned in Singapore, which was a bad race in terms of the result but a good one in terms of learning,” he explained.
The driver added that Aston Martin’s recent development has given him greater confidence.
“I see a good trend, and although points are difficult to come by, we might finally have a good Sunday in Mexico.”
Honda has already outlined plans for further improvements in 2027, including an initial development package for the opening round and another major step around the eighth race.
The manufacturer has identified combustion performance as a principal area requiring improvement.
Alonso’s assessment of the lessons from Singapore reflects his view that the team has begun finding a more promising technical direction despite its limited results.
Mexico’s altitude presents another test for Aston Martin and Honda
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is located approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, where the reduced air density affects aerodynamic performance, turbocharging and cooling.
Those characteristics create additional demands for all power-unit manufacturers, particularly under Formula 1’s revised 2026 hybrid regulations.
The technical challenges facing the new-generation engines in Mexico include managing thermal performance and electrical energy deployment throughout the lap.
For Aston Martin, the weekend will provide another opportunity to assess recent Honda developments and determine whether the improvements Alonso identified can translate into a competitive result.
The team also enters Mexico after Red Bull denied reports of serious discussions about supplying Aston Martin with engines from 2028.
Laurent Mekies said Red Bull is not currently negotiating an additional power-unit supply agreement, while Aston Martin continues its existing partnership with Honda.
The Mexican Grand Prix takes place from October 30 to November 1, with Sunday’s race beginning at 2:00pm local time, equivalent to 8:00pm GMT in the United Kingdom.
The complete Mexican Grand Prix schedule and worldwide start times include practice, qualifying and race information for international audiences.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
