Alonso Qualifies Ninth in Wet Sao Paulo Session
Aston Martin reaches Q3 for the first time this season as heavy rain delays and shapes qualifying in Brazil.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Motorsports
Fernando Alonso qualified ninth in wet conditions for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after qualifying was initially delayed by heavy rain. Aston Martin reached Q3 for the first time this season.
Why it matters
The result gives Aston Martin a rare bright spot in a difficult season under the new-for-2026 regulations, where Honda's power unit has been short on both power and reliability. Alonso has been the team's only consistent points scorer this year.
Alonso will start P8 because of a grid penalty applied to Charles Leclerc, moving him up a place from his qualifying position. A wet Sunday race could give him a path to additional points.
The players
Fernando Alonso
Two-time Formula 1 world champion driving for Aston Martin, the team's leading points scorer this season.
Aston Martin
British Formula 1 team that has struggled in the new-for-2026 regulations, with Alonso providing its only points this year.
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari Formula 1 driver whose grid penalty moves Alonso up to P8 for the race.
The details
Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace was run in wet conditions after heavy rain delayed the session. Alonso circulated in the top half of the field across all three segments, finishing P8, P7 and P9.
Timeline
Friday, November 7, 2026: Wet qualifying session held at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: 71-lap Sao Paulo Grand Prix race.
Season Trajectory
Aston Martin has endured a difficult campaign under the new-for-2026 technical regulations, with Honda's power unit still lacking both power and reliability. Reaching Q3 for the first time this season is a notable step, though Alonso's results have been the team's only consistent source of points.
Fans following fantasy or race-day predictions should note Alonso starts P8 because of Leclerc's grid penalty, not from his qualifying position. Sunday's race weather will determine whether a points finish is realistic from that spot.
The takeaway
A single qualifying result can change how a season looks, and Aston Martin's ninth-place start shows how weather and grid penalties can reshape a race before the lights go out. Watch the Sunday forecast as closely as the timing sheets.
What happens next
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix 71-lap race takes place Sunday, when wet weather could allow Alonso to add more points.
Further reading
For more on the teams and drivers shaping the season, explore Motorsports.
