Alonso's Bahrain Gp: What Went Wrong?

Fernando Alonso's return to Formula 1 racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix was cut short due to a stray sandwich wrapper that became lodged in the brake duct of his Alpine car, causing overheating issues and forcing him to retire early from the race. Alonso, a two-time F1 champion, initially attributed the issue to debris on the brake duct, but it was later discovered that the wrapper had caused the unexpected brake failure. Despite the disappointing end to his comeback race, Alonso expressed his enjoyment of being back in the sport and looked forward to the next race in Imola.

Alonso forced to retire early from Bahrain GP

Fernando Alonso's return to Formula 1 racing was cut short by a stray sandwich wrapper that became lodged in the brake ducts of his Alpine car, causing his retirement from the Bahrain GP. The two-time world champion's first race since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ended prematurely after just 32 to 34 laps.

Alonso initially experienced problems after his first pit stop, which forced his team to reduce the car's performance. However, after his second stop, the sandwich wrap paper got stuck inside the rear brake duct, leading to overheating and damage to the brake system. The Alpine team made the decision to retire Alonso from the race for safety reasons.

Despite the disappointing end to his comeback race, Alonso expressed his enjoyment of being back in Formula 1. He noted that it was "nice to feel again the adrenaline at the starting grid, the national anthem, all these procedures [which] were very emotional today for me." He also mentioned that he had some good battles on the track and was pleased to be "back racing and having some battles with [his] colleagues."

Alonso's early retirement meant that the Alpine squad left Bahrain without scoring any points, as his teammate Esteban Ocon could only finish 13th. The team was already facing challenges, as Ocon struggled with qualifying and experienced contact with Vettel during the race.

Sandwich wrapper caused brake issues

Fernando Alonso's return to Formula 1 racing was short-lived, as a sandwich wrapper caused his brakes to overheat, forcing him to retire early from the Bahrain GP. The two-time F1 champion initially suspected 'debris' as the cause of his brake issues, but it was later discovered that a sandwich wrapper had gotten stuck in one of his brake ducts.

Alonso's comeback race had started promisingly, with the Alpine driver qualifying ninth and running seventh in the early stages of the race. However, his fortunes took a turn after his first pit stop, when he lost pace due to a minor issue. Things went from bad to worse after his second stop, when the sandwich wrapper became lodged in his rear brake duct, causing the brake system to overheat.

The Alpine team made the decision to retire Alonso from the race for safety reasons, as the high temperatures had caused damage to the brake system. This unfortunate incident not only ruined Alonso's chances of a top 10 finish but also meant that he was unable to finish the race and score any points.

Despite the disappointment, Alonso remained positive about his return to F1, expressing his enjoyment of the race up until the issue and his satisfaction at being back on the track. He looked forward to the next race in Imola, determined to put the brake issues behind him and get some points on the board.

This incident highlights the importance of ensuring that no debris or foreign objects are left on the track, as they can have a significant impact on the performance and safety of the vehicles and their drivers. It also demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the drivers and their teams, who must quickly adjust their strategies in response to unexpected challenges.

Alonso's relief at qualifying eighth

Fernando Alonso expressed relief at qualifying eighth for the Bahrain Grand Prix, alongside Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon, who qualified 11th. The two-time F1 champion had initially looked set for a ninth-place qualification, but ended up one place higher.

Alonso's relief was understandable given the pace of early leaders Ferrari and Red Bull. He acknowledged the positive work done by Alpine during the winter but noted the need for new parts and updates to keep up with the competition:

> "To be fighting for the top 10 with both cars has been a relief a little bit for Alpine that the job done during the winter has been positive. Now it's up to us to develop the car as quick as possible. It's going to be a huge development for everybody and we need to be fast off-track, as well as on it. We need to push the button now in the factories and try to make the new parts [come] to the circuit as soon as possible."

Alonso also sounded a note of caution about Alpine's deficit to the front, with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc more than 1.5 seconds ahead of him. Despite the relief at qualifying eighth, Alonso recognised the need to close the gap to pole position, which remained significant at over one second.

Alpine demands new parts and updates

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski has revealed the cause of Fernando Alonso's retirement from the Bahrain GP. A sandwich wrapper got stuck inside the rear brake duct of Alonso's car, causing the brake system to overheat and resulting in his early exit from the race. This issue has brought to light the need for Alpine to produce new parts and updates to keep up with the early leaders, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Alonso, a two-time F1 champion, was excelling on his first F1 weekend since 2018, qualifying ninth and running seventh in the early stages of the race. However, he lost pace after his first pit stop and had to retire after his second due to the sandwich wrapper incident. While he acknowledged his luck, he also expressed his enjoyment of being back in the sport and his eagerness to get back on the track in Imola.

Despite the setback, Alonso expressed relief that both he and his Alpine teammate, Esteban Ocon, were able to fight for the top 10 in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, he has urged his team to bring updates and new developments to upcoming races to close the gap to the front-runners. Alonso noted the pace of early leaders Ferrari and Red Bull and emphasized the need for Alpine to develop the car quickly and efficiently.

The Spanish driver sounded a note of caution, acknowledging Alpine's deficit to the front-runners, with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc more than 1.5 seconds clear of him. Alonso stated, "We need to make them work and hopefully close that gap to pole position that is still too much – over one second." He highlighted the importance of both on-track and off-track speed in the team's development efforts.

In response to Alonso's demands, Alpine has announced a technical restructure following a poor start to the 2024 season. The team will aim to bring new parts and updates to upcoming races, hoping to improve their performance and close the gap to the front-runners. It remains to be seen how quickly they can turn things around and whether they will be able to challenge the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull.

Alonso's wheel-to-wheel battle with Vettel and Sainz

Fernando Alonso's return to Formula 1 racing at the Bahrain GP was short-lived, ending in his retirement from the race after just 32 laps. However, before his unfortunate exit, Alonso was involved in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle with none other than Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.

Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, found himself in a fierce contest with Vettel and Sainz, both former champions, for position. The three drivers traded places multiple times, with each driver showcasing their skill and determination.

Sainz, in particular, had his sights set on Alonso, hounding him for several laps before finally making his move. Alonso, however, was not one to back down, and fought back in the following corners, attempting to re-pass Sainz. The pair even made contact, with Alonso's car touching Sainz's as he tried to regain his position. Unfortunately, this contact caused a puncture for Alonso, ultimately leading to his retirement from the race.

Despite the early end to his race, Alonso remained positive, reflecting on the battle with his colleagues as "fun". He also acknowledged the need for improvements, calling on his team, Alpine, to bring updates and new developments to upcoming races to close the gap to the front-runners.

Frequently asked questions