Alpine announced that Fernando Alonso had an “operational problem” in his car that caused him to stop for the United States Grand Prix at the start of FP1.
The two-time former world champion got off the track in the first few minutes of practice at Turn 12 and fluid poured out from under the car, which then produced the red flag.
However, the team was able to recover the car, fix the problem and get the Spaniard back into the session, but Alonso admitted that it hadn’t gone smoothly for him on Friday – and suspected a malfunction in the water system that led to his crash.
Coupled with a slide off the track at Turn 19 in FP2, where he flew backwards towards the barriers and touched them before going back to the pits, he admitted that his Friday wasn’t his best.
“It wasn’t easy today,” Alonso told Formula1.com. “I don’t think it’s a super smooth Friday for us. A problem in FP1 and then a spin in FP2.
“Well, there is a lot to do tonight. I think our car’s performance has not yet been unlocked and we are struggling with balance. Let’s see – a lot to do.
“I think [the issue] there was something on the water system so we had to stop because the engine was running on hot water at the time.
“So you did a good job fixing the problem and I did a few more laps in FP1. But as I said, we were not satisfied with the balance, with any of the tires, so there was still some work to do. “
Friday ready. Some work to be done for tomorrow. Nice to be back at @COTA 🇺🇸👍 #alpine # f1 #Austin pic.twitter.com/uHZvxnF4lx
– Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) October 22, 2021
Alpine Racing Director Davide Brivio explained Alonso’s problem, adding that the car had “no physical damage” after the problem in FP1 – but he felt Esteban Ocon’s run was a better day on his side of the pits.
“It wasn’t our strongest Friday of the season today,” said Brivio in the Alpine debriefing on Friday. “It was more complicated than usual, especially for Fernando.
“We had a problem in FP1, which was quickly fixed without damaging the car, and then in FP2, towards the end of the session at turn 19, we hit the wall slightly.
“So he missed some time on the track today, but it was a more productive day for Esteban. Now we’re going to try to improve whatever information we have in common for tomorrow.
“There was some talk before the weekend about the bumps here, they’re a problem, but the drivers are trying to adjust to them together with the car.
“We look forward to tomorrow, we will continue to work and want to improve.”
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