Formula 1 Hungarian GP

Why Fernando Alonso sat out the F1 Hungarian GP FP1 with a back injury

Fernando Alonso sat out first practice at the F1 Hungarian GP as he managed a back muscle injury

Haydn Cobb

Haydn Cobb

Edited: Aug 1, 2025, 6:17 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Fernando Alonso is confident of completing the remainder of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend after missing first practice due to a back muscle injury.

On Friday morning, Aston Martin announced the two-time F1 world champion would skip the first practice session with reserve driver Felipe Drugovich standing in for the team.

Alonso opted to miss FP1 in order to manage a back muscle injury picked up at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, and duly returned without any major problems for second practice in Hungary.

After FP2 Alonso explained the injury and why it will not impact the rest of his race weekend. 

“It is the same as yesterday, it is going to be like this the whole weekend,” he said. “I have a small injury on my muscle at the back in the lumbar area.

“I need some rest but the summer break is coming, so it is another two days of managing the comfort in the seat.

Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin F1 Team

Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin F1 Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

“Yesterday we found different solutions with air pads and other things that are working fine. So today I had no pain in FP2 so that is positive.

“Always you have small pain and discomfort here and there. The thing is that we did the MRI [scan] last week just to check properly and we saw a small injury on the muscles.

“Obviously, if you are a normal person, you will sit a little bit for two weeks. But I think it is manageable. I don't have pain in the car, which is the most important thing.”

Both Aston Martin drivers put in an impressive FP2, with Lance Stroll fourth and Alonso in fifth on the timesheet, but the Spaniard refused to look too deeply into the FP2 times.

Aston Martin delivered an updated front wing flap on its relatively new front wing package that the team introduced last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

“FP2 felt good,” Alonso said. “The balance is still maybe not in the window where probably I would like the car to be. A little bit of understeer mid-corner and struggling to rotate the car on the slow speed.

“But normal for a first practice of the weekend. Let's see what we can change overnight. And also a couple of tests that the guys did in FP1. We need to review the data and put the fastest car [together] tomorrow.”

Photos from Hungarian GP - Practice

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Dettaglio tecnico Haas VF-25

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexandra Saint Mleux

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Mark Webber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Fans of Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Dettaglio tecnico Ferrari SF-25

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Dettaglio tecnico McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Leo the dog

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Dettaglio tecnico Red Bull

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Paul Aron, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Paul Aron, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Paul Aron, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin F1 Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Hungarian GP - Friday, in photos

Formula 1

65

Read Also:

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article "Nothing really works" - Max Verstappen perplexed by tough Hungarian F1 start

Next article Guenther Steiner finalizing purchase of Tech3 MotoGP team

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Haydn Cobb



F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?

Formula 1

Formula 1 18 h

F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?



FIA reveals latest ADUO results in final review of 2026 F1 season

Formula 1

Formula 1 3 d

FIA reveals latest ADUO results in final review of 2026 F1 season



The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

Formula 1

Hungarian GP

The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

More from

Fernando Alonso



Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso

Formula 1

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

4 d

Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso



Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures

Formula 1

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

8 d

Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures



Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

Formula 1

Azerbaijan GP

Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

More from

Aston Martin Racing



Honda struggling to explain Lance Stroll’s 13th DNF of the season

Formula 1

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

3 d

Honda struggling to explain Lance Stroll’s 13th DNF of the season



How Aston Martin’s fuel gamble in Monza WEC fell short by just three seconds

WEC

WEC

Monza

4 d

How Aston Martin’s fuel gamble in Monza WEC fell short by just three seconds



Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

Formula 1

Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

Latest news



TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

6 h

TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale



Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role

NASCAR Truck

NSTR NASCAR Truck

Homestead

7 h

Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role



The surprising convergence behind F1's increasingly competitive 2026 season

Formula 1

The surprising convergence behind F1's increasingly competitive 2026 season



“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 11 h

“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return

Feature

Discover prime content



Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Ronald Vording

Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success



How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Filip Cleeren

How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't



Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s



Why Rafael Camara should take heart from a tough F1 debut in Brazil

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Rafael Camara should take heart from a tough F1 debut in Brazil

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe