ALONSO TO MISS MEDIA DAY IN SUZUKA AMID RUMOURED BIRTH OF HIS CHILD
Fernando Alonso will not attend media day at the Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday, March 26. Aston Martin confirmed the news on social media, saying the two-time world champion is absent due to personal reasons, and everything is going well.
The team also announced that Alonso will not take part in the first free practice session. In his place, Jak Crawford will drive the car during FP1.
This is part of a rule in Formula 1 that requires each team to give rookie drivers track time during the season. Every race driver must give up their seat twice in first practice sessions to allow young drivers to gain experience.
Crawford, a young American driver and member of the Aston Martin development program, previously took part in two FP1 sessions with Aston Martin, during the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2025. These sessions are important not only for the team, which can collect data, but also for the driver, who can show his potential at the highest level of motorsport.
Alonso possibly absent for his child’s birth
Reports suggest that Alonso’s absence is linked to an important moment in his personal life. It is believed that he and his partner, Melissa Jimenez, are expecting the birth of their child between Wednesday, March 25, and Friday, March 27.
While the team has not officially confirmed this reason, the timing strongly points to a family-related situation. The news that he was going to become a father first came out during the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix weekend, held between November 28 and 30.
Despite missing media duties and the opening practice session, Alonso is still expected to return later in the weekend. He will be back in the car for the remaining practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.
Further updates are expected from Aston Martin as the weekend progresses, especially regarding Alonso’s return to the track and his availability for the rest of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Share this content:
