Aston Martin has confirmed that Fernando Alonso has been sidelined from the Thursday media day activities due to illness as F1 gears up for the highly anticipated Mexico City Grand Prix.
The event which will be held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico is particularly significant as it marks the Spaniard’s 400th Grand Prix weekend, a milestone that underscores his enduring legacy in the sport.
Alonso’s current team Aston Martin confirmed the news of his illness via their official social media channels stating that the double world champion is feeling unwell and will not be participating in the media commitments typically expected of drivers before a race weekend.
“Fernando Alonso is feeling unwell and will therefore not attend media day at the Mexico City Grand Prix,” said the statement.
“Fernando is focused on feeling 100 percent for Friday and his planned return to the AMR24 for Free Practice 2.”
Alonso’s focus remains steadfast on returning to full fitness ahead of Friday’s Free Practice 2 session. His commitment to recovery is evident as he aims to be back in the AMR24 car, ready to compete against his fellow drivers.
It is worth noting that he was already scheduled to miss Free Practice 1, as Brazilian reserve driver Felipe Drugovich was set to take his place. This arrangement aligns with F1 regulations that require teams to field rookie drivers during specific practice sessions.
Alonso’s F1 career has been nothing short of remarkable. He made his debut with Minardi in 2001 and quickly ascended through the ranks, securing championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006.
Over his extensive career, the seasoned driver has participated in more than a third of all Grand Prix races since the championship’s inception in 1950. His resilience and adaptability have allowed him to remain competitive even as younger drivers enter the sport.
In a recent interview, Fernando Alonso reflected on his journey in Formula 1 and expressed gratitude for reaching such a significant milestone as 400 races.
“It’s nice to achieve,” Alonso said earlier in the week. “Obviously, championships and race wins are what matter most to us as drivers but, at the same time, it shows my love for the sport and the discipline I’ve had to perform at a very high level for more than 20 years.
“In that time, I’ve achieved what every racing driver dreams of doing: becoming [a] World Champion. And I’ve had some incredible experiences racing against some of the best drivers in the world on the greatest racetracks.”
Despite being sidelined temporarily by illness, Alonso remains optimistic about his future in racing. He has hinted at aspirations of participating in more races beyond this season, suggesting he may have another 40 or 50 races left in him over the next few years.
He added: “I don’t think I’ll be adding another 400 to my total, but hopefully I’ve got at least another 40 or 50 more races to come in the next couple of years.”
Alonso enters the Mexico City Grand Prix ranking 9th in the championship standings after finishing 13th in Austin.
