Fernando Alonso Qualifies 13th for Austin US Grand Prix

The veteran driver secures a midfield spot while navigating persistent power unit torque issues during qualifying.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Motorsports

Fernando Alonso Qualifies 13th for Austin US Grand Prix

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Fernando Alonso qualified in 13th position for the Formula 1 US Grand Prix in Austin. He believes this result overperforms his car's actual merit, which he estimates currently sits in 15th or 16th position.

Why it matters

Aston Martin continues to struggle with power unit torque delivery inconsistencies that impact acceleration through corners. The team managed to stay competitive in the midfield only because specific sections of the circuit layout are power limited.

Alonso secured the 13th starting spot on the grid, outperforming his own assessment of the vehicle's merit of 15th or 16th place. The team noted that torque delivery inconsistencies hindered acceleration throughout the qualifying session.

The players

Fernando Alonso

He is a veteran Formula 1 driver currently competing for the Aston Martin team.

Aston Martin

This is a Formula 1 constructor team currently working to resolve ongoing power unit performance inconsistencies.

The details

Aston Martin faced technical hurdles during the session, with the car exhibiting inconsistent torque delivery that complicated corner entry. The team was able to mitigate these issues in segments of the Austin circuit where power demands were lower than on the two primary straights.

October 25, 2026: Fernando Alonso qualified 13th for the US Grand Prix.
October 26, 2026: The US Grand Prix race occurs.

Season Trajectory

This performance highlights the ongoing development challenges for teams trying to optimize power unit efficiency in the current Formula 1 engine cycle. The result underscores a difficult trajectory for Aston Martin as they attempt to hold their position against better-performing rivals in the midfield.

Alonso will start Sunday's race from the 13th spot on the grid, placing him in the middle of the pack for the start of the US Grand Prix. His qualifying placement suggests he will need to rely heavily on strategy to overcome the car's current performance limitations in race trim.

The takeaway

Alonso expects a challenging race on Sunday as he attempts to manage his car's technical limitations across the demanding Austin circuit. Fans should watch for how the team manages torque issues during sustained race-pace stints.