Alonso Laughs Off Qatar GP Spin, Blames 'Spirit Inside the Car'

Fernando Alonso, never one to shy away from drama, found humor in his unexpected 360-degree spin during Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix. The two-time world champion playfully blamed a "spirit inside the car" for the incident, dismissing notions of over-driving or misjudgment. Despite losing two positions, he recovered to secure a valuable seventh-place finish, earning crucial points for Aston Martin in the constructor's battle.

Why it matters:

Alonso's spin, while visually dramatic, highlights the AMR25's temperamental nature, described by the driver as "hypersensitive." This incident underscores the fine line Aston Martin is walking as they push the car's performance envelope, striving for points in a tight constructors' championship battle. Every point is critical as they aim to overtake rivals and solidify their position, making Alonso's recovery even more significant.

The details:

• Unexpected Rotation: Alonso was running comfortably in the top six after starting eighth when his AMR25 abruptly snapped at Turn 10, sending him into a full 360-degree spin.
• Paranormal Explanation: With a grin, Alonso quipped, "I wasn't pushing 100%, but this car has disconnections, I don't know what to call them, a bit paranormal, there's a spirit inside the car." He insists it wasn't a driving error.
• Pre-existing Issues: The Spaniard revealed this wasn't an isolated incident. Throughout the weekend, the car exhibited unpredictable behavior, including sudden front-end losses in practice, forcing him onto the gravel.
• "Hypersensitive" Machine: Alonso emphasized the AMR25's extreme sensitivity to external factors, stating, "we're hypersensitive to the wind, hypersensitive to one or two degrees of temperature, we're always on a knife edge."
• Lucky Escape: Despite the spin, Alonso considered himself fortunate that there was no gravel at Turn 10 and no train of cars directly behind him, preventing a more severe outcome.

The big picture:

Aston Martin is locked in a fierce fight for sixth in the constructors' standings, trailing Racing Bulls by 12 points. The eight points secured by Alonso over the Qatar weekend—two from Saturday and six from Sunday—were essential. This performance, even with the car's quirks, provides a much-needed boost as the team heads into the season finale in Abu Dhabi, aiming to close the gap.

What's next:

Aston Martin will need to thoroughly investigate the AMR25's "paranormal" disconnections and extreme sensitivity as they prepare for the final race of the season. Resolving these unpredictable behaviors will be crucial for maximizing their performance in Abu Dhabi and securing a higher position in the constructors' championship. The team will be hoping that the 'spirit inside the car' behaves itself for the season finale.