Unwell Alonso to arrive late for Brazilian Grand Prix weekend · F1 · RaceFans

Aston Martin say Fernando Alonso is continuing to suffer from a medical complaint and will miss Thursday’s media activities for the second race weekend in a row.

However the team expect the driver will be able to participate in the race weekend which begins on Friday.

“Fernando Alonso will miss his media day activities in Brazil,” said the team in a statement. “Fernando had suffered with an intestinal infection in the lead up to the Mexico City Grand Prix.

“He returned to Europe to receive further treatment from a specialist. The extra day of treatment has delayed his travel plans to Brazil but ensures he will be ready for this weekend’s racing.”

Alonso did not participate in the media activities at last weekend’s race in Mexico as the team said he was “feeling unwell.” He was able to take part in practice, but sat out the first practice session so Felipe Drugovich could participate, a change the team announced prior to the event.

Alonso, who marked his 400th appearance at a grand prix last weekend, completed just 15 laps of the race before retiring with overheating brakes.

Drugovich is the team’s reserve driver and could gain the opportunity to make his race debut in his home event at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo if Alonso is unable to participate. He stood in for Alonso’s team mate Lance Stroll during pre-season testing last year after the other Aston Martin driver broke his wrists in a pre-season cycling accident. However Stroll was well enough to compete in the first race event of the season.

As the Brazilian Grand Prix is a sprint event, whoever drives Alonso’s car will have only a single hour of practice before the first of two qualifying sessions.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free