F1 champion ABSENT at Mexican GP as team issue official health announcement

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso is set to be absent from the early stages of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, after Aston Martin released an official health announcement.

The Mexican GP is set to be a pivotal event in the 2024 title race, with five races remaining for Lando Norris to catch Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship.

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However, the McLaren star’s campaign received a major blow in Austin after Norris lost the lead during the opening lap of the race to Verstappen and the two Ferraris.

Following a controversial penalty for Norris, the Brit was demoted to P4 whilst his title rival extended his lead to 57 points in the standings.

Why is Fernando Alonso absent from the Mexican GP?

Whilst seven different drivers, and four different teams, have won in 2024, Aston Martin and Alonso have failed to join the party at the front of the grid.

The Spaniard enjoyed several podiums during the 2023 season, however the team’s performance has dropped significantly this year with the champion often quite anonymous in races.

Aston Martin received a major boost when it was announced that design legend Adrian Newey would be joining the team from March 2025, with hopes that he will be able to spearhead the team towards future championship success.

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However, Alonso’s Mexican GP weekend has already got off to a rough start, as it has been revealed that he will be absent from Thursday’s media day due to feeling unwell.

"Fernando Alonso is feeling unwell and will therefore not attend media day at the Mexico City Grand Prix,” Aston Martin wrote in an official statement.

"Fernando is focused on feeling 100% for Friday and his planned return to the AMR24 for Free Practice 2."

Aston Martin have not confirmed whether Alonso will be well enough to compete on Friday, or the extent of his illness, but if he were to miss both practice sessions, reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne could replace the champion.

Drugovich was already set to take the two-time champion's place for FP1, and may yet have a bigger role ahead of him this weekend.

Fernando Alonso is feeling unwell and will therefore not attend media day at the #MexicoGP. Fernando is focused on feeling 100% for Friday and his planned return to the AMR24 for Free Practice 2. pic.twitter.com/MeaKlwflBj

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) October 24, 2024

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Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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