Fernando Alonso lost crucial points after a collision in Austin, damaging his car's aerodynamics and costing him potential championship points.
Alonso estimates lap time loss
Fernando Alonso said he lost at least half a second per lap after colliding with Alex Albon in the Austin race. This estimate came after inspecting the damage to his car following the incident.Collision affected championship chances
The collision on the first lap compromised Alonso’s chances of scoring points. He had started twelfth on the grid and hoped to gain valuable points for the championship, but the damage to his car made this difficult.Significant damage to the car
Alonso discovered that a large part of the car’s floor had been torn off after the collision. This component is crucial for generating aerodynamic downforce, which significantly impacts a Formula 1 car’s performance.Aston Martin’s difficult season
Aston Martin is having a tough 2026 season, having scored only seven points so far. For the team, every opportunity to finish in the top ten is important, especially with Alonso’s potential performance.Alonso’s frustration and reflection
Despite the damage, Alonso managed to stay around twelfth place. He believes he could have finished in the points with an undamaged car, which would have been a significant achievement for both him and his team.Missed opportunity in Austin
The collision in Austin deprived Alonso of what he considered a realistic chance to score points. This was particularly disappointing given that the team had shown progress in previous races, such as the Malaysian Grand Prix.