– Aston Martin is currently not exactly known for miracles. In Japan, the team celebrated a first finish as a success, before in Miami at least both cars saw the checkered flag. Therefore, some were quite surprised when Fernando Alonso suddenly appeared in 14th place in the first session of the sprint qualifying for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix.
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The Spaniard did not want to miss out on advancing to the second part of the session and apparently pushed his green car a bit too ambitiously shortly before the end around the high-speed circuit of Montreal. On his last timed lap, the 44-year-old was then much too fast heading into turn 3.
As Jolyon Palmer aptly observed in the commentary for F1 TV, Alonso even tried to “carry supernatural speed into the corners.” The result: The front wheels locked completely and sent the Spaniard straight into the barrier.
Did desperation lead to the overambitious push?
The overzealousness was confirmed by the Aston Martin driver in the interview after the sprint qualifying. He was simply “too much at the limit.” “We are a bit behind and know our pace,” said Alonso, “so we pushed seven or eight places more than we actually should have.” In Canada, there is also no room to “somehow evade.”
F1: Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal) 2026
In the remaining 1:46 minutes after the red flag, however, no one could threaten the two-time world champion anymore, as hardly anyone was able to start a timed lap at all. Thus, Alonso starts the race from 16th place in the sprint. (For the sprint qualifying report)
Read more Formula 1 live ticker: The sprint in Canada now live!
One of those who just barely crossed the finish line to start a timed lap was teammate Lance Stroll. However, he did not get beyond his already secured 18th place. “The tires were just too cold for the last lap,” said the Canadian at his home race.
Finishing the race as the ultimate goal
After a best 17th starting position in a qualifying so far and plenty of frustration management, at least a small glimmer of hope is emerging for the beleaguered Brits. When asked what a good result in the sprint would be, Stroll still answered typically dry and laconic:
“I don’t know, just finish the race!” Given the current situation and starting positions 16 and 18, that probably is all that can be realistically expected. Especially since Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Liam Lawson with much better performing cars are still behind the Astons. Completing the entire sprint distance also means being able to collect more data to perhaps end this misery someday.
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