Fernando Alonso slammed Williams driver Alex Albon following a collision on the opening lap of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The incident cost the Aston Martin driver four positions in Austin and caused floor damage that severely hampered his car for the remainder of the race.
Opening Lap Incident and Car Damage
Alonso dropped one spot initially from 12th on the grid as Esteban Ocon advanced from 15th to 11th. Albon gained three positions with a strong start to run 14th and battled Alonso through the Esses on the opening lap. At Turn 11, Alonso attempted an inside move on the battling Haas cars, but Albon launched on a similar path. The Williams was committed as the gap shrank, and Albon’s front-right wheel struck Alonso’s left-hand bargeboard and floor edge. Alonso was forced onto the outside kerb and lost an additional four places, with the Aston Martin floor damage clearly visible from on-board footage. Alonso ultimately finished 12th.
Alonso stated that the contact caused major damage, costing them half a second or more per lap. He noted that the car was destroyed and half the floor was missing, expressing surprise that the car remained semi-competitive. He added that points would have been a strong possibility with an intact car, noting he considered retiring before the team fitted a new front wing and sent him back out to gather data.
Driver Reactions and Stewards’ Decision
Alonso directed sharp criticism toward the backmarkers following the race, remarking on the level of competition at the rear of the field. When you start at the back, there is this risk always, Alonso said, adding that the quality of the drivers in the low third of the grid is very low, as seen with Alex. He concluded that the team needs to improve the car and start further up the grid.
The stewards reviewed the contact and decided it did not warrant an investigation, viewing it as a standard result of three cars contesting the same space at that corner. Albon explained that he believed there was a car on the right side of Fernando, and that space was given assuming only one car was on the inside. Albon noted he was on Alonso’s inside, resulting in a pinch where he tried to escape onto the kerb without success, acknowledging that both he and Alonso sustained damage.
