Aston Martin Confirms Gravel Caused Alonso's Monza Suspension Failure

Aston Martin has revealed the unusual cause behind Fernando Alonso's sudden suspension collapse during the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, leading to his retirement.

Why it matters:

Fernando Alonso was forced to retire from the Italian Grand Prix on lap 24, losing out on a potential strong points finish for Aston Martin. The incident highlights the critical impact of even minor debris on high-performance F1 cars and the challenge for teams to detect such damage in real-time.

The details:

• Alonso's front-right pushrod failed as he ran over the exit kerb out of the Ascari chicane.
• The team confirmed that gravel, believed to have been flicked up by Lando Norris's McLaren on the opening lap, impacted Alonso's car in multiple areas, including the suspension.
• This initial damage, which went undetected by the team, was then exacerbated by the continuous, low-level loading and rigors of the Monza circuit, leading to the eventual structural failure.

The big picture:

Alonso was running 15th at the time of his retirement but had shown strong pace earlier, running eighth and making up positions during pitstops, suggesting a significant points haul was within reach. This retirement adds to Alonso's growing frustration with missed opportunities.

• Alonso's championship standing is 12th, two points behind teammate Lance Stroll.
• Aston Martin is currently 24 points adrift of Williams in the battle for fifth in the Constructors' Championship.
• Despite outscoring Williams in recent races, Alonso's DNF at Monza, combined with Alex Albon's seventh-place finish, allowed Williams to extend their lead.

What's next:

"It's frustrating that I should have maybe 20-30 points more than what I have - not down to me - but it is the way it is," Alonso commented. "Unfortunately, I'm getting used to it." The incident will likely prompt teams to review their procedures for detecting and monitoring subtle, impact-induced damage during races.