Alonso's Wildest F1 Radio Messages: From 'GP2 Engine!' to Singapore Drama

Fernando Alonso recently made headlines with his fiery radio message at the Singapore Grand Prix, but it's far from the first time the Spanish driver has aired his frustrations on team radio. His career has been punctuated by numerous memorable and often controversial outbursts, cementing his reputation as one of F1's most outspoken figures.

Why it matters:

Fernando Alonso's radio messages offer a unique window into the high-pressure world of Formula 1. They highlight the intense emotions, the fierce competitive spirit, and the technical challenges drivers face, often revealing the raw, unfiltered passion behind the helmet. These moments, both iconic and infamous, become part of F1 folklore, shaping narratives and providing insight into a driver's mindset.

The Details:

• Singapore Grand Prix (2024): After narrowly missing an overtake on Lewis Hamilton, who was struggling with damaged brakes, Alonso's frustration boiled over. He exclaimed, "Oh, f****** hell, man. I cannot believe it. Is it safe to drive with no brakes? ... This should be f****** P7. ... No respect — the red flag yesterday, today, free track for them. I mean, maybe too much."
• Hamilton's Reaction: Lewis Hamilton subtly responded to Alonso's outburst on social media with a clip from 'One Foot in the Grave,' featuring the line, "I don't believe it!"
• The Honda Engine Era (2015-2017): During his McLaren-Honda stint, Alonso's frustration with the underperforming power unit was a recurring theme.
  • "GP2 engine! GP2 engine!": This iconic message came at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix, when Alonso was easily passed by Marcus Ericsson and then Max Verstappen, highlighting the engine's severe power deficit.
  • "They pass me on the straight like a GP2. This is embarrassing, very embarrassing."
  • "The engine feels good, much slower than before."
  • "I don't want [to]. Already I have big problems now, driving with these, looking like amateurs.": His defiant response when asked to save fuel in Montreal.
• Palmer's Penalty at Monza (2016): After a clash with Jolyon Palmer where Palmer cut the chicane, Alonso's radio message progressed from demanding a penalty to celebrating Palmer's retirement.
  • "What Palmer is doing? He needs to give me back the position. He cut the chicane."
  • "Five seconds is a joke! A joke! What a joke!": His reaction to Palmer's initial five-second penalty.
  • "Karma!": His triumphant exclamation upon learning Palmer had to retire from the race.
• The Need for Space (2012 Bahrain Grand Prix): Battling Nico Rosberg, Alonso famously told his race engineer, Andrea Stella, "He pushed me off the track. I think you have to leave a space. All the time you have to leave a space."
• Belgian Grand Prix (2022): Another fiery moment involving Lewis Hamilton, where Alonso fumed, "What an idiot! Closing the door from the outside. I mean we had a mega start, but this guy only knows how to drive starting first."

What's next:

Alonso's return to a Honda-powered car with Aston Martin in 2026 will undoubtedly be watched closely for any echoes of his past frustrations or, hopefully for him, praise for a competitive power unit. Regardless, his tenure in F1 promises more unfiltered moments, cementing his legacy as a fierce competitor both on track and over the airwaves.