Alonso’s Aston Martin Catches Fire at lmola GP During Pi…read more
Fernando Alonso’s fortunes took a dramatic turn at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix when his Aston Martin briefly caught fire during his first pit stop. The incident occurred as Alonso exited the pits, with flames visibly flickering from the front left tire. The source of the fire appeared to be overheated brakes, a not-uncommon issue in Formula 1 when high temperatures build up in the wheel assembly during stops.
Despite the brief blaze, the fire quickly extinguished itself, and Alonso was able to continue racing without significant damage. The two-time world champion refocused on the track, making the most of his fresh hard tires to climb back through the field. His composure and determination were evident, as he worked to recover the lost time and salvage a strong result at the challenging Imola circuit.
The incident was particularly frustrating given that Alonso had shown promising pace throughout the weekend. Both he and teammate Lance Stroll made it into Q3 during qualifying on Saturday, a sign that Aston Martin’s recent upgrades had begun to pay off. Alonso started the race from P5, his highest grid position of the season so far, and looked poised to challenge Mercedes’ George Russell for a top-four finish in the early stages.
Alonso’s season had been plagued by disappointment prior to Imola. He failed to finish in both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, leaving him without a single championship point heading into the Italian round. The Emilia-Romagna GP, therefore, represented a crucial opportunity to turn things around, and the early signs were encouraging before the fiery setback during the pit stop.
Aston Martin introduced a series of upgrades to their car for the race at Imola, and the improvements were immediately evident. Both drivers reported better handling and pace throughout the weekend. While the fire incident threatened to derail Alonso’s comeback, the car’s improved performance allowed him to remain competitive and continue pushing for a points finish.
As the race progressed, Alonso focused on steady progress through the midfield, using his experience to manage tire wear and timing overtakes effectively. Despite the pit stop drama, his determination to deliver for the team was clear.
Although it remains to be seen how the final results will shape his season, Alonso’s performance in Imola—overcoming mechanical drama and showing strong pace—offered a glimpse of the resilience and talent that made him a world champion. With the upgrades clearly boosting Aston Martin’s competitiveness, the team will be hopeful for a more consistent and successful run in the races to come.
