Alonso to sit out FP1 in Hungary due to ‘muscular injury’

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Aston Martin F1 has announced that Fernando Alonso will not take part in this afternoon’s opening free practice session at the Hungaroring, due to a lingering muscular injury in his back.

The suffering emerged after last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, where the 44-year-old Spaniard finished a lowly 17th.

Aston Martin’s official reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will substitute for Alonso in FP1, after which the latter and his team will make a call on whether he will be fit enough to take part in FP2 and in the remainder of the Hungarian Grand Prix race weekend.

“In the days following the Belgian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso has been managing a muscular injury in his back. As he continues with treatment this morning, he has chosen to sit out of FP1,” said Aston Martin in a statement released on Friday morning.

“Felipe Drugovich will drive in FP1 alongside Lance Stroll.

“A decision will then be made on Fernando’s participation in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend in due course.”

©AstonMartin

While Drugovich has never raced in Formula 1, the 25-year-old Brazilian has taken part in six official practice sessions with Aston Martin since 2022.

His most recent outing with the Silverstone-based outfit was in Bahrain, earlier this year. Drugovich’s presence in today’s session will also count towards Aston’s four mandatory young driver FP1s.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.