Aston Martin Reveals Cause of Fernando Alonso's Monza Suspension Failure

Aston Martin has confirmed that Fernando Alonso's dramatic suspension failure during the Italian Grand Prix was caused by undetected damage from gravel on the opening lap, which led to continuous loading and an unexpected breakage. The incident abruptly ended Alonso's strong run for points at Monza.

Why it matters

Alonso was running in a net seventh place, ahead of protégé Gabriel Bortoleto, and poised to secure valuable points for Aston Martin, continuing his recent strong form. This unexpected retirement prevented the two-time F1 drivers' champion from adding to the team's constructors' standings tally, where they currently sit sixth, 24 points behind Williams.

The Details

• Lining up eighth on the grid, Alonso was on course for his seventh points-scoring finish in eight rounds, showcasing a significant turnaround after a slow start to the season.
• The suspension on his AMR25 ultimately gave way after contact with the kerb on the exit of the Ascari Chicane (Turn 10).
• A despairing Alonso reported the failure over team radio, stating, "Suspension failure. This is unbelievable."
• Aston Martin clarified that the failure was not sudden but rather an unforeseen consequence of earlier damage.
• A team spokesperson explained that gravel hit Fernando’s car on the very first lap, impacting multiple areas including the suspension, which compromised its integrity.
• The damage went unnoticed by the team, and low-level continuous loading on the compromised part eventually led to its catastrophic failure during the race.

What's next

Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso will aim to rebound and continue their positive momentum at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Securing consistent points finishes remains crucial for the team as they look to climb the constructors' standings, with Alonso having contributed 30 of their 62 points this year.