Fernando Alonso produced one of the standout performances of qualifying for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, reaching Q3 for the first time this season in difficult wet conditions at Interlagos. However, despite finally taking Aston Martin into the final qualifying session, the two-time Formula 1 world champion was left frustrated by two separate problems: tyres that were too cold on his first flying lap and insufficient battery energy on his second attempt.
The Spaniard has spent much of the season struggling with a car and power unit unable to compete at the highest level of Formula 1. Yet the rain at Interlagos gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his skill in conditions where driver sensitivity becomes especially important and can help compensate for a car’s technical shortcomings.
Although his first Q3 appearance of 2026 represented a significant achievement, Fernando Alonso believed there was more performance available from his Aston Martin, particularly during the decisive final session.
Fernando Alonso reveals cold tyres and battery problems in Brazilian GP qualifying
Speaking in the media pen, as reported by RacingNews365, Fernando Alonso explained that neither of his Q3 attempts had been fully optimised. On his first flying lap, the tyres were not yet providing sufficient grip, while his second attempt was compromised by the amount of battery energy consumed during the opening run.
“It was on the limit, but it was better to go out than wait in the garage. It all depended on how heavy the rain was, but I thought maybe it would be possible to qualify in the top five,” Alonso explained.
“On the first attempt, though, the tyres had no grip, so I said to myself, ‘OK, I’ll push on the second lap.’ But the battery management modes used a lot of energy on the first lap, so I didn’t have all the energy I needed on the second. I ended up a bit in no man’s land.”
“The first attempt wasn’t optimised for the tyres, and the second wasn’t optimised for the engine. It’s a shame because I think there was half a second, or even eight tenths, of performance left to unlock.”
The combination of low tyre temperatures and insufficient energy deployment prevented Alonso from producing the lap he believed was possible. However, the Spaniard also acknowledged that even a considerably faster time would have made only a limited difference to his final qualifying position.
Fernando Alonso admits top-six rivals were out of reach at Interlagos
Despite his initial belief that a top-five qualifying result might be possible, Fernando Alonso recognised that the pace of the leading cars was beyond Aston Martin’s reach. His assessment of the timing gaps suggested that unlocking the additional performance would have gained him only one position.
“However, looking at the times, that would only have gained me one position, so I think the top six were on another planet,” the Spaniard admitted.
“These conditions offer a new opportunity to those starting further back, and we took a few risks in Q1 and Q2, when the track was an unknown for everyone. It was my first Q3 of the year, but then in Q3 I expected more.”
Alonso also explained why being the first driver in the queue had not delivered the advantage he had hoped for. Although getting onto the circuit early offered an opportunity to exploit the conditions before the rain intensified, it left him struggling to bring the tyres into their operating window.
“In any case, I was first in the queue and the tyres were ice cold, so I had no grip. Sixth place was 1.8 seconds ahead of me, so it was too ambitious to hope for better positions.”
It was therefore a qualifying session that combined a welcome breakthrough with a sense of frustration. Aston Martin had finally reached Q3, but Alonso felt that his two attempts had not allowed him to extract everything available from the car.
Why Aston Martin was more competitive in wet Brazilian GP qualifying
Fernando Alonso also explained why Aston Martin was able to produce a more competitive performance in the rain despite the limitations that have affected the team throughout 2026. According to the Spaniard, reduced grip means drivers spend less time at full throttle, limiting the extent to which rival teams can exploit their power advantage.
“You spend less time at full throttle because there isn’t enough grip, so it’s not possible to exploit all the engine’s power,” Alonso explained.
“But the engine remains very important in terms of drivability and how it behaves through the corners, and we still have problems in that area. However, in these conditions, what matters most is the level of risk you’re willing to take.”
Wet-weather qualifying also requires drivers to judge how much risk they can afford to take as track conditions evolve. With aquaplaning possible in certain sections, Alonso stressed the importance of progressing through each stage before attempting to maximise the car’s performance.
“There’s a little aquaplaning here and there, and the objective is first to finish in the top 15, then in the top 10. You try to balance the risk to make it through each qualifying cut.”
Fernando Alonso hopes Brazilian GP rain can give Aston Martin a chance of points
Looking ahead to the Brazilian Grand Prix itself, Fernando Alonso believes wet conditions could offer Aston Martin a better opportunity to fight for points. The Spaniard expects the unpredictable nature of racing in the rain to create possibilities that may not exist in dry conditions.
“Between the poor visibility and the various difficulties, wet conditions will give us a slightly better chance of scoring points. In the dry, on the other hand, there is no chance,” Alonso concluded.
The prospect of further rain could therefore be particularly important for Aston Martin, which has struggled to compete with the leading teams in conventional conditions. The tyre-management challenges and possible heavy rain at Interlagos could make Sunday’s race another difficult test for the entire field.
For Alonso, the first Q3 appearance of 2026 represents an encouraging result, even if his final qualifying attempts left him disappointed. His hopes of converting that performance into championship points will depend heavily on the conditions that await Aston Martin during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
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