Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (P16) – 5/10
Starting from the pit lane after tactical engine component changes, Alonso made his usual lightning-fast initial strides. However, the double World Champion was soon left utterly powerless as severe energy deployment glitches left his Aston Martin sitting duck material on the straights. Alonso’s sarcastic chuckles over team radio summed up his frustration well. A brutal crash back to reality after the euphoria of his Malaysian podium.
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls (P15) – 4/10
A nightmare opening lap shattered the rookie’s evening before it even truly began. Caught in a three-wide pinch with Sainz and Hulkenberg entering Turn 1, Lindblad slammed on the anchors to avoid a multi-car pileup, dropping down the order as a consequence. Stuck in heavy traffic and unable to unlock his car's inherent pace, he spent the rest of the night making zero forward progress. A rare blip.
