Breaking F1 champion issues health update in ...

F1 champion issues health update in emotional statement.

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso recently shared an update on his health following a challenging Brazilian Grand Prix, marking his second consecutive weekend dealing with illness. The 43-year-old Spanish driver, who competes for Aston Martin, missed media obligations on Thursday ahead of the Interlagos race weekend. His team confirmed his absence was due to ongoing health issues. Despite his condition, Alonso was able to participate in Friday’s single practice session and the initial sprint qualifying session. However, the weekend turned out to be an arduous experience for the veteran driver.

Alonso’s performance in Brazil was far from his best. In a weekend marred by setbacks, he was involved in a crash during qualifying, dashing hopes for a better outcome as Aston Martin’s car showed signs of competitiveness. Ultimately, Alonso finished the two races on Saturday and Sunday in 14th and 18th places, respectively. It was yet another point-less race weekend for the two-time champion, who expressed his gratitude simply for completing the races. Alonso acknowledged the extensive work his team undertook to get his car ready after his qualifying crash, making it possible for him to compete at all.

Currently ninth in the driver standings, Alonso has yet to secure a podium finish this season, a sharp contrast to his eight podiums in the 2023 season. He has struggled to keep up with the frontrunners throughout 2024, with the Brazilian GP only adding to a frustrating season. In post-race comments, Alonso revealed that the resurfaced track at Interlagos had caused significant issues with bouncing in his car, a factor he believed also impacted teammate Lance Stroll, who experienced an unfortunate crash on the formation lap before the main race even began.

Alonso detailed the physical toll of the 69-lap race, which left him visibly pained and impacted his back due to the severity of the bouncing on the track. Over the team radio, he was heard speaking emotionally about his condition, explaining that he was determined to complete the race as a sign of respect for his team’s efforts. He expressed admiration for his mechanics, saying, “I will finish the race for the mechanics. They did a very good job today. But my back is hurting, man. This bouncing is not normal.” These remarks underscored the difficult physical strain Alonso endured while pushing through to the finish.

After the race, Alonso was seen requiring assistance to exit his car, clearly exhausted and struggling with back pain. The 43-year-old appeared emotional during a post-race interview with Spanish media, visibly moved as he reflected on both his challenging experience on the track and the tragic floods that have recently devastated parts of Spain. His teary-eyed appearance highlighted the personal and physical weight he was carrying at the close of a tough race weekend.

Alonso’s experience in Brazil, from illness to the painful back injury due to track conditions, adds to what has been a taxing season for the former champion. As he continues to persevere through his current challenges, fans and the motorsport community alike remain hopeful that he will recover and return to form in the remaining races of the season.