Alonso Vows Silence After Lackluster Opening Practice in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia — On the first day of on-track action for the 2025 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso made it clear he has little interest in discussing practice results. Following the two practice sessions ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16, Alonso finished the first session in eighth place and dropped to thirteenth in the second session.

“Nothing, and if I learn something, I will not tell you,” Alonso stated bluntly when asked about his performance. The veteran driver emphasized that media interactions after practice would no longer occur this season. “We come here because it’s mandatory, but there is nothing really to talk about. We just jump out of the car and as usual, it will be 24 Fridays like now that you can ask anything, I will not answer. I need to review everything now with my team and privately discuss what we did today. The car goes. Engine is alive. Brakes are okay. Gearbox is changing gears up and down,” he added.

Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, also kept his commentary brief when approached by journalists after the second practice session. Stroll noted that he placed in the top ten during both sessions but remained cautious about the team’s overall performance, stating, “I mean, it’s just practice. So I haven’t looked at the long run paces and stuff. Some stuff to work on and see tomorrow.” When questioned about the car’s balance, he acknowledged, “Yeah, some corners better than other corners. Just stuff to work on like that here.”

The 2025 season represents the third year that Aston Martin has paired Alonso with Stroll, marking a pivotal moment as they aim to enhance team performance.

As the Formula 1 calendar resets, the Australian Grand Prix returns as the season opener for the first time since 2019. The inaugural practice sessions took place at Albert Park, a street circuit known for its recent layout improvements to facilitate overtaking. These changes have proven effective, particularly with the adjustments to Turn 6 and the removal of the chicane, creating new DRS zones and prime overtaking opportunities.

Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto will make his debut with Sauber while Jack Doohan advances to a full-time role with Alpine after competing in Abu Dhabi. At Haas, Oliver Bearman secures a full-time position after three stand-in performances last season. Moreover, racing fans are keen to see how Lewis Hamilton performs in his debut with Ferrari.

The Australian Grand Prix will commence on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m. local time (4 a.m. GMT) following two additional practice sessions and qualifying. The excitement surrounding this opening race echoes the thrill fans felt before the COVID-19 pandemic altered the racing schedule.

The expanded 2025 Formula 1 calendar features 24 races, allowing teams and drivers to strategize and optimize their performances for a highly competitive season ahead, where each driver pairs their skills and machinery in a quest for the championship.