Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has delayed his arrival at the Brazilian Grand Prix due to ongoing health concerns related to an intestinal infection. The 43-year-old Aston Martin driver opted for additional medical treatment in Europe after missing pre-race media activities in Mexico City. This has also led to his absence from media engagement ahead of the Brazilian leg of the racing calendar. The team confirmed that Alonso will be ready for the weekend’s racing despite the delay in his travel plans.
Alonso’s successful Formula 1 career includes championship wins in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, and he has raced for prestigious teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and his current team, Aston Martin. With over 400 Grand Prix starts under his belt, Alonso is regarded as one of the sport’s most experienced competitors. Aston Martin emphasized the importance of prioritizing Alonso’s health and readiness for the sprint race weekend in Sao Paulo, citing the need for him to undergo thorough medical consultation in Europe to ensure he can compete to the best of his abilities at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Brazilian Grand Prix, held at the challenging Interlagos circuit, features a sprint race weekend format this year which includes only one practice session. Drivers will have a single practice session on Friday before the sprint qualifying on Saturday to determine pole positions. The sprint race will follow, with qualifying for the Grand Prix taking place on Sunday. At this stage in the championship, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads the standings with a 47-point advantage over McLaren’s Lando Norris, while the battle for the Constructors’ Championship remains intense among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
In the current Drivers’ Championship standings, Alonso is in ninth place with 62 points, trailing behind Sergio Perez who has 150 points. The championship leaderboard is led by Max Verstappen, followed by Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and others. The competition is fierce as teams vie for top positions in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Alonso’s delay in arriving at the Brazilian Grand Prix is to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges of the sprint weekend and can continue to compete at a high level despite his ongoing health concerns.
