Gravel responsible for Alonso's accident in Australia?

This is certainly not the start to the season that was hoped for. Fernando Alonso. In addition to driving a car with average performance, which has not really improved during the winter, the Spaniard was forced to retire this Sunday during the Australian Grand Prix after going off the track and having an accident at Turn 6. On lap 34, the double world champion lost the rear of his AMR25 while going over the kerb and spun, before hitting the wall on the outside of Turn 7 and damaging his carThe Asturian was then in 10th place, in the points zone, and was following closely behind Pierre Gasly for 9th place.

FERNANDO ALONSO’S MISTAKE 🤯🤯🤯

The pilot Aston Martin into the wall, the others throw themselves into the pit lane! 🌪️#AustralianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/1vw2f7AabJ

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 16, 2025

A problematic turn

An accident rare enough to be worth noting concerning the two-time world champion, who was trapped by the wet Albert Park track. Unless it was another factor that sent him into the wall: indeed, back in the paddock, Fernando Alonso said he did not understand his excursion from the track and believes that the numerous gravel present on the trajectory could have been the cause of his loss of control.

"The incident came out of nowhere, to be honest, said the Spaniard after the race. I was a little surprised to lose the car. I wasn't any wider than another lap. I just found a lot of gravel stuck in the middle of the circuit, and I spun. It's a very costly incident, but I don't really know what to do differently. We'll try to analyze it a little better. I think it's a bit of an unlucky incident."

This turn 6, whose vibrators and escape route were revised in 2025 One year after George Russell's dangerous crash, was the center of attention this weekend. During FP1, a red flag was deployed to clear the numerous pieces of gravel that had been moved onto the racing line during the laps. This Sunday, during the race, despite the rain, there was still a lot of gravel on the kerb and outside the racing line. The presence of the gravel trap so close to the racing line, on a corner where the cornering speeds are quite high, had raised questions and fears among some drivers.

Alonso remains satisfied with Aston Martin's progress

Whatever the reason for Fernando Alonso's crash, the result is the same: the Spaniard did not finish the race and left Australia empty-handed when, at the same time, Lance stroll secured the points for 6th place. Nevertheless, the Asturian Bull prefers to take the positives from a less laborious weekend than expected for Aston Martin.

"I was 10th, Antonelli 11th. I don't know if I could have kept the point, but I hope we improve, said the IberianWe have another chance in five days, that's the right thing. I think the pace was similar to the midfield. I was fighting with Gasly, Antonelli was clearly faster but it wasn't easy to overtake us. Overall, I think we're in the mix. Some weekends will be better, some will be a bit more difficult, but we'll try to improve."

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