Fernando Alonso Qualifies 13th for US Grand Prix
The Aston Martin driver expects a tough race Sunday due to recurring power unit torque issues.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Motorsports
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Fernando Alonso secured the 13th starting position for the Formula 1 US Grand Prix in Austin, despite ongoing technical hurdles with his Aston Martin. The driver faces an uphill battle for Sunday's race after a qualifying session marred by persistent power unit inconsistencies.
Why it matters
The team continues to struggle with inconsistent torque delivery that hampers acceleration, making the midfield battle at the Circuit of the Americas particularly grueling for drivers this weekend. Alonso himself suggests his car's true performance level is currently closer to 15th or 16th place.
Fernando Alonso qualified in 13th position for the US Grand Prix, finishing well ahead of his self-assessed car merit of 15th or 16th place. The team's performance remains limited by persistent torque delivery inconsistencies.
The players
Fernando Alonso
A veteran Formula 1 driver currently competing for the Aston Martin team.
Aston Martin
A Formula 1 racing team that is currently navigating power unit performance challenges.
The details
Aston Martin struggled to maintain consistent acceleration throughout the qualifying session due to power unit torque delivery issues. While the team found some relief on the circuit sections that are power limited rather than dominated by the two long straights, the underlying mechanical faults persisted. Alonso anticipates a difficult path ahead during the main event on Sunday as he fights to maintain his mid-pack standing.
Timeline
Fernando Alonso finished qualifying in 13th position on October 25, 2026.
The US Grand Prix race takes place on October 26, 2026.
The Texas Context
The US Grand Prix remains a defining event for the local motorsports scene, regularly highlighting the technical demands of the Circuit of the Americas layout. This weekend performance follows a consistent trend of teams attempting to balance car merit against the specific power-limited challenges of the Austin circuit.
Fans heading to the Circuit of the Americas for Sunday's race should prepare for heavy traffic and significant road congestion throughout the area. Attendees can expect a competitive midfield race as drivers navigate technical car limitations on the track.
The takeaway
Drivers like Alonso face challenging odds when mechanical inconsistencies arise at this demanding track. Fans should watch the opening laps of Sunday's race to see if the team manages to stabilize their torque delivery during the race-pace segments.
Further reading
For more updates on this weekend's events, visit our Motorsports section.
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