“This is a fantastic circuit to drive”: Fernando Alonso appreciates Suzuka circuit despite gravel trap incident due to 'weird' windy weather

Fernando Alonso saw his second Japanese Grand Prix free practice session cut short after an excursion off the track at the Degner Curves , producing the second red flag of a topsy-turvy FP2 at Suzuka. The driver for Aston Martin lost traction after bringing a wheel onto the grass at high speed, spinning into the gravel trap and beaching his AMR25.

Fernando Alonso claims to have lost his car in a weird way

A dramatic end to Fernando Alonso's day 😫

A small clip of the grass on entry to the first Degner Curve sends the Aston Martin into the gravel!#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/oQJArTdExB

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2025

Fernando Alonso, having been up at the front earlier in the session with a P7 lap time in FP1, was at a loss with the accident. “Yeah, I don’t know. I need to review it. I lost the car in a weird way, very windy and very gusty out there, and the car is a little bit critical," he shrugged afterwards according to Planet F1.

The off occurred at the entrance to Degner 1, and Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin twitched sideways the moment he went over the grass. With little left to recover, the gravel brought his session to an early end.

Fernando Alonso’s crash was just one of four red flag incidents in an eventful FP2 session that saw less than 30 minutes of actual running. The disruptions included:

• A massive crash for Jack Doohan in the Alpine at over 185mph
  
• Fernando Alonso off at Degner
  
• Two grass fires, sparked by hot debris igniting dry patches off-track, due to the high winds
  

Despite the disappointment, Alonso was upbeat overall about the weekend, complementing the revamped Suzuka surface and the spectators. “This is a fantastic circuit to drive, and a great atmosphere by the fans as well. So, hopefully putting on a good show tomorrow. [The track is] better. I mean, it’s grippier and very smooth, no bumps at all through the first sector, which is the most interesting part of the circuit with super high-speed corners,” he said.

The second red flag of the session is deployed 🔴

Fernando Alonso is beached in the gravel at the Degner Curves 😲#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/IaOsAkPun9

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2025

Following the double DNF at the first two races in Australia and China, Alonso is hoping that Aston Martin can recover this weekend. “So, yeah, [it’s a] really, really fun circuit to drive; really enjoyable lap when you are behind the wheel. So looking forward to more tomorrow,” he said.

With the close midfield battle and the volatility of the session, Q3 is by no means assured, but Alonso's initial speed and Suzuka knowledge may give him the upper hand. “I think we are slightly more competitive than in China, so hopefully Q3 is possible tomorrow,” he stated.

Also read: Who was responsible for Fernando Alonso's Australian GP crash?

With qualifying looming and dry, windy conditions set to persist, Alonso and Aston Martin will require a clean FP3 to restore confidence. But as ever with Fernando, don't write him off — Suzuka is one of his best tracks, and if anyone can recover from a blow like this, it's him.