Untelevised footage from the Brazilian Grand Prix revealed the significant physical strain Fernando Alonso endured after completing a challenging race at Interlagos. Having started in ninth place following a crash in the delayed Sunday morning qualifying session, Alonso faced a tough battle, ultimately finishing 14th. Throughout the race, he struggled with severe porpoising, which caused him considerable back pain. In the closing laps, he expressed his discomfort over the team radio, describing the bouncing as abnormal and promising to finish the race for his mechanics who had worked hard to repair his car.
The unseen footage captured the moment Alonso tried to exit his car after the race. In the clip, he is seen struggling to lift himself from his Aston Martin cockpit, requiring support from the team’s mechanics. He rests for several seconds on the car’s halo, with one mechanic offering reassurance. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who had retired earlier due to a crash, approached the scene, showing concern for his fellow Spaniard before moving on. After a few moments, Alonso slowly climbed out of the car, visibly affected by his physical discomfort, and walked away, head bowed, supported by his team.
In an interview following the race, Alonso described the event as a “nightmare,” citing not only the porpoising but also a brake issue that made the car harder to handle. He admitted that, in normal circumstances, he would have considered withdrawing, but was determined to finish the race out of respect for the mechanics who had put in tremendous effort to repair the car after his crash in qualifying. Alonso explained that the car’s performance was compromised after they had to revert to a less competitive setup, and the brake issue, which worsened after the race restarts, further hindered his ability to compete.
Alonso’s physical struggles were compounded by his absence from media duties ahead of the Grand Prix, where Aston Martin revealed he had been undergoing treatment for an intestinal infection. Despite these health issues, Alonso pushed through the pain, motivated by the need to honor those affected by flooding in his hometown of Valencia. He spoke about his commitment to battling through the race, explaining that while it was painful, he felt it was important to keep fighting for the people back home.
Reflecting on his recovery, Alonso acknowledged that the Brazilian Grand Prix had been a setback in his efforts to regain full health. He had undergone significant preparation, including medical check-ups and physiotherapy, to be ready for the race. While the discomfort was intense, he maintained that others were suffering more than he was, which gave him additional resolve. Alonso concluded by noting that after this race, he would focus on resetting his body and preparing for the next challenges in the final stretch of the season.
