Alonso takes P8 after saying Aston Martin was unlikely to score

GPBeat reports that Fernando Alonso finished eighth at Sepang and scored four points, despite saying before the race that he did not expect Aston Martin to score. Lance Stroll finished 12th.

GPBeat · Newsroom04 Oct 2026, 21:56 · 1 min

Fernando Alonso finished eighth in the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, held at Sepang, and scored four points for Aston Martin despite saying before the race that he did not expect the team to score. Team-mate Lance Stroll finished 12th.

Qualifying brought Aston Martin its first double Q2 of 2026: both drivers reached the session on merit, and Alonso had already made Q2 at Hungary earlier in 2026. Formula 1 said their P12 and P14 places on the final grid benefited from penalties for potentially quicker cars. The FIA's final starting grid lists Alonso 12th and Stroll 14th.

Before the race, Alonso expected faster cars starting behind Aston Martin, some with penalties, to come through. He warned that the team might lose places on the opening straights, lack the speed to pass and risk tyre damage.

After qualifying, Alonso said the car had not changed since Budapest and that its competitiveness depended on circuit layout and the number of straights. Stroll said Sepang's fewer straights and extra corners suited the car, but expected Aston Martin to struggle again on circuits with long straights. Honda's trackside general manager and chief engineer Shintaro Orihara called the double-Q2 a step in the right direction for Honda and said the package was working as expected despite the hot, humid conditions.

Claims and supporting evidence 8

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was held at Sepang; Alonso finished eighth with four points and Stroll finished 12th.

The FIA event heading identifies Sepang, and its final classification gives both drivers' finishing positions and Alonso's points.

[3][4]

Before the race, Alonso said he did not expect Aston Martin to score when asked whether points were possible.

RacingNews365 records Alonso's post-qualifying answer before the race.

[1]

Alonso expected faster cars behind, some with penalties, to come through; he warned Aston Martin might lose places on the opening straights, lack speed to pass and risk tyre damage.

These were Alonso's stated pre-race expectations and concerns.

[1]

Both Aston Martin drivers reached Q2 on merit together for the first time in 2026; Alonso had previously reached Q2 in Hungary that year.

Formula 1's qualifying account gives the double-Q2 milestone, says both progressed on merit and identifies Alonso's earlier Q2 appearance.

[2]

Formula 1 said penalties for potentially quicker cars benefited Alonso's and Stroll's P12 and P14 final-grid positions; the FIA grid lists them in those places.

The penalty effect is attributed to Formula 1's account; the FIA document gives each final-grid position.

[2][3]

Alonso said the car was unchanged since Budapest and that its competitiveness depended on circuit layout and the amount of straight-line running.

Formula 1 records Alonso's post-qualifying assessment.

[2]

Stroll said Sepang's fewer straights and extra corners suited the car, but expected Aston Martin to struggle on long-straight circuits.

Formula 1 attributes both the circuit assessment and forecast to Stroll.

[2]

Honda's Shintaro Orihara called the double-Q2 a step in the right direction and said the package was working as expected despite hot, humid conditions.

RacingNews365 reports Orihara's post-qualifying comments and identifies his Honda role.

[5]

Corrections and updates to this story

05 Oct 2026, 16:22

Alonso takes P8 after saying Aston Martin was unlikely to score

Updated to add Honda's response to Aston Martin getting both cars into Q2 for the first time in 2026. / Bijgewerkt met Honda's reactie op het feit dat Aston Martin in 2026 voor het eerst beide auto's in Q2 kreeg.

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.