Visor tear-off caused Alonso’s Barcelona DNF

McLaren-Honda reveals that Alonso’s DNF during last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix was caused by a visor tear-off lodging into the right rear brake of his MP4-30, which prevented the brakes from cooling.

Lining up 13th on the grid, the Spaniard was running quite strongly when he was forced to withdraw from his home event on Lap 26. Alonso had just radioed in his team to say he was experiencing brake problems before heading for the McLaren pit.

But the double world champion even struggled to stop his car at low speed and overshot his box.

“My pit-stop was a scary moment,” Alonso said.

“I didn't have much rear braking for my whole in-lap, then even less at the stop. It was scary for the mechanics, but luckily it didn't hurt anyone.”

McLaren suffered a very challenging weekend at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with team-mate Jenson finishing down in 16th and labelling his car “scary to drive”.

Alonso will skip this week’s Barcelona in-season test, as McLaren-Honda test driver and 2014 LMP2 Le Mans winner Oliver Turvey is scheduled to run on Tuesday before handing over the MP4-30 to Button for Wednesday.

Click here for Sunday's gallery from the Spanish Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

F1 drivers rally around Antonelli after abuse from ‘scum of the earth’

On the eve of Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, drivers set aside championship…

1 hour ago

Abu Dhabi GP: Thursday's media day in pictures

Formula 1's 2025 season hurtles toward its dramatic close this weekend in Yas Marina, with…

14 hours ago

Verstappen: Let McLaren play games – 'all that matters is the trophy'

In a title showdown charged with tension, numbers, and a hint of intra-team intrigue, Max…

15 hours ago

Leclerc says Ferrari early pivot to 2026 ‘a no-brainer’

Charles Leclerc isn’t sugarcoating Ferrari’s struggles this season – but he also isn’t second-guessing the…

16 hours ago

Hadjar moving to Red Bull with ‘no expectations’ amid 2026 reset

Red Bull Racing’s newest recruit, Isack Hadjar, is stepping into Formula 1’s hottest seat with…

17 hours ago

Norris won’t ask Piastri for title help: ‘It’s not really up to me’

Lando Norris may be on the brink of his first Formula 1 world championship, but…

19 hours ago