Fernando Alonso sits out Hungarian GP FP1 due to injury picked up in Belgium. Fernando Alonso will miss FP1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix due to a back injury suffered in Belgium.

Fernando Alonso to miss FP1 in Budapest due to injury sustained at Belgian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso will not participate in Free Practice 1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as the Aston Martin driver recovers from a back injury sustained during the previous race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

Aston Martin will be without the services of the two-time Formula 1 World Champion for the opening practice session at the Hungaroring. The Spanish driver is currently recovering from physical discomfort that emerged following the demanding race at Spa, during which he had delivered a determined comeback performance. As a precaution, Alonso has opted to sit out the first session of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, allowing himself additional time to recover and be in better condition for the more critical sessions ahead.

In his place, Aston Martin reserve and third driver Felipe Drugovich will step in to drive the AMR25 during FP1. The Brazilian driver will take over Alonso’s seat for the opening session and will join Lance Stroll on track for Aston Martin’s Friday morning program at the Hungaroring.

After the race in Belgium, both Fernando Alonso and the Aston Martin team noticed that the Spanish driver was experiencing some physical issues, particularly back pain. Despite pushing hard throughout the race and finishing strongly, the physical toll was evident. Medical advice from his personal staff led to the decision to skip the first free practice session in Hungary.

According to an official statement issued by Aston Martin on the morning of the race weekend in Budapest:
“In the days following the Belgian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso has been managing a muscular back injury. As treatment continues this morning, he has chosen not to participate in FP1. Felipe Drugovich will drive the AMR25 in Free Practice 1 alongside Lance Stroll.”

The team also noted that a decision on Fernando Alonso’s participation in Free Practice 2 and the remainder of the weekend will be made in due course, depending on his physical condition and medical advice.

Felipe Drugovich, who is part of Aston Martin’s reserve driver lineup, has already appeared once this season in a free practice session, having previously taken the wheel of Alonso’s car during FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier in the year.

The absence of Alonso from FP1 comes at a time when Aston Martin is striving to regain form after a mixed first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season. With the summer break approaching, every session counts in terms of car development and preparation for the second half of the year. If Alonso is fit to return for FP2, that session will play a key role in shaping his performance for qualifying and the race in Budapest.