Fernando Alonso has been the protagonist after the free practice sessions of the Australian F1 Grand Prix, for refusing to answer questions from journalists, something he says he will do every Friday of the Grand Prix: “There will be 24 Fridays like now when you can ask whatever you want and I won’t answer anything”.
Fernando Alonso complains about the obligations in F1
Fernando Alonso gave a good impression in the premiere of the AMR25 in the Australian GP of F1, an expected impression, placing his car in the middle of the table, in two rounds of practice where the most outstanding thing in general has been the great equality between the politicians that make up the current Formula 1 squad.
After finishing Free Practice 2, as usual, the drivers went to the media area to offer their impressions after the practice sessions. However, Fernando Alonso refused to answer and was very unhappy about this obligation and did not answer the questions asked by the FIA. After being asked what he has learned from, Alonso was blunt: “Nothing. And if I have learned something, I’m not going to tell you, so… We come here because it’s mandatory, but there’s really nothing to talk about.”
Of course, Fernando Alonso did explain his reasons for refusing to give explanations and he warned that he will do the same in all the races of the year at the end of Friday’s free practice sessions. “We’ve just jumped out of the car, as always. There will be 24 Fridays like this one where you can ask whatever you want and I won’t answer anything.” Before giving explanations to the press, the Asturian driver believes that everything should first be discussed with the team. ”I have to review everything now with my team and discuss what we’ve done today in private.”
Alonso’s sarcasm in the face of the press’s insistence
Despite his refusal to answer questions, the FIA journalist insisted on asking how the AMR25 was working after the first pre-season tests and if he had had any problems.
“No, we haven’t had any problems. We’ve done laps, the car runs, the engine is alive, the brakes are fine, the gearbox up and down gears, so everything’s fine,” concluded Alonso.
Fernando Alonso has complained before
This is not the first time that Fernando Alonso has complained about the FIA’s requirement that he speak as soon as he gets out of the car at the end of Friday’s test. On previous occasions he has already said that these press conferences are unnecessary, mainly because the sensations he experiences in the car on the first day have to be compared with the team’s data. He has always said that he does not have enough concise information to give to the media.
Aston Martin, in the midfield
After free practice 1 and 2 held this Friday, some conclusions can be drawn: Aston Martin has confirmed its step forward for this season, and everything suggests that it will be in the fight for the midfield. The times of Fernando Alonso, as well as those of Lance Stroll, confirm that the team will be in a position to score points in the races. Given how evenly matched the grid is, any detail, setting or decision can make you gain or lose places on the grid.
We will have to wait for tomorrow’s qualifying to find out where Aston Martin really is in this race and what Fernando Alonso’s feelings are about the AMR25 and his options for Sunday’s race.