Emilia-Romagna GP: F1 champion in huge crash to bring out red flag

Fernando Alonso en conferencia de prensa en Bahréin — Photo: © IMAGO

Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

F1 champion in huge crash to bring out red flag

Fernando Alonso caused a long delay to practice

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Saturday 18 May 2024 13:22 Updated: 15:26

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A huge smash for Fernando Alonso brought out a red flag during Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix practice.

FP3 was halted following Alonso's crash, which caused damage to the barriers trackside, taking a few minutes off the session in being reset.

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The Spaniard was at fault for the incident, taking too much of the kerb heading into the final corner, sending his car spinning around and off into the gravel, which failed to slow him down before a big impact with the barriers.

It meant a race against time for Aston Martin to get Alonso's car ready for qualifying later in the day on Saturday.

Both Aston Martin drivers have struggled in Imola

Incident-hit weekend continues

All three practice sessions at the Emilia-Romagna GP this weekend caused intrigue and incidents, with various cars suffering spins and trips to the gravel on Friday, before this crash for Alonso.

Strong winds and poor set up choices for some teams have wreaked havoc in Imola, where Red Bull and Max Verstappen are looking to bounce back following defeat last time out in Miami.

42-year-old Alonso walked away from the incident, but will be worried that it will have an impact on his weekend as a whole, having not been a feature so far alongside team-mate Lance Stroll.

FP3 got back underway after just four minutes at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit, following some quick work by marshals to get Alonso's car out the way and check the structure of the barriers at the final corner.

READ MORE: Mercedes star in car SWAP at Imola

Fernando Alonso Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix