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Fernando Alonso Reflects on Practice Spin at Japanese Grand Prix

During the second practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, former Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso experienced a bewildering spin that left him questioning the circumstances behind it. The Aston Martin driver lost control of his AMR25 at the entrance of Suzuka’s Turn 8, resulting in a spin across the gravel and subsequently becoming stuck, which led to a red flag being issued during the session.

Alonso’s spin was not an isolated incident; it followed shortly after Alpine rookie Jack Doohan crashed at Turn 1 due to a DRS issue, highlighting the challenges of the circuit’s layout and conditions. In reflecting on his own spin, Alonso stated, “I need to review it. I lost the car in a weird way; it’s very windy and very gusty out there, and the car is a little bit critical. But yeah, I don’t know if I put a tyre on the grass or something.”

Initial analysis suggests that Alonso did indeed venture onto the grass before his spin. The segment of the track where the incident occurred is deceptively challenging; drivers must carefully manage their speed through a series of ‘S’ corners before accelerating again through the following constant-radius Nippon curve. At Turn 8, often referred to as the first Degner Curve, drivers aim to maximize their speed, which typically requires them to position their cars toward the left edge of the track.

Reviewing onboard footage reveals that Alonso crossed the white line as he approached the turn, with his left-front wheel veering onto the grass past the 50-meter mark. When he began to turn right, the loss of grip unsettled the rear of the car. In an attempt to regain control, he countersteered, but the AMR25 was already on a trajectory that did not allow for correction, resulting in the car skipping onto the kerbs and ultimately spinning out of control.

While it is unclear if wind conditions played a role in the spin—only telemetry data may provide insight—it is notable that several drivers reported facing headwinds through the ‘S’ curves during the practice session. For this section of the track, winds blowing from right to left and slightly from behind could have contributed to the difficulties experienced.

Despite the earlier setback, Alonso maintained a positive outlook for the remainder of the weekend, expressing hope for a stronger performance compared to previous races. “I think we’re slightly more competitive than in China [where he retired after starting 13th],” he remarked. “So hopefully Q3 is possible tomorrow.”

Analysis of Alonso’s Incident

Alonso’s experience at Suzuka underscores the unpredictable nature of racing, particularly under changing weather conditions that can impact vehicle handling. The feedback from drivers regarding wind patterns highlights the importance of adaptability in securing optimal performance on track.

As the weekend progresses, both Alonso and his team will likely analyze the data to ensure they are positioned for success in the upcoming qualifying sessions and the race itself.

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