Aston Martin Formula 1 team principal Mike Krack has provided details on Fernando Alonso’s injury, which has seen him replaced for FP1 in Hungary.
The Silverstone outfit confirmed this morning that the two-time champion would not be driving in the first practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, and will be replaced by reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.
While speaking to Motorsport.com and other media ahead of practice, Krack confirmed that the goal is to have Alonso back in the car for second practice, which is set for 3pm local time.
“Fernando developed a small muscular problem after Spa. With the intensity of our calendar, there is never enough recovery time. Even for sleep sometimes, there’s not enough recovery time because you have to travel so I think that is one of the issues.
“So we elected to just increase the recovery time and drop out of FP1, which is normally the least important session, and the plan is to have Fernando back in the car from FP2 onwards.”
When asked if having a few more hours of recovery would make that much of a difference, Krack added: “I don’t think it’s the hours, it’s probably more the lower amount of laps rather than the hours.”
“Yes, but we have obviously made some modifications to his seating position. We have checked some stuff yesterday, how to make it more comfortable for him. We are quite confident that he will be fine,” he clarified when quizzed on whether the length of the grand prix would be an issue.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
The team confirmed this morning that the Spanish driver had been “managing a muscular injury in his back following the Belgian Grand Prix last week.
“As he continues with treatment this morning, he has chosen to sit out of FP1,” the team added.
“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.”
Krack also commented on how much of a job it is to switch drivers.
“No, actually it’s more unification. Do you run the same test programme? How do you adjust these kinds of things?
“Changing drivers is quite straightforward, especially as they are not substantially different in size. Considering we have run Felipe many, many times already, also for an afternoon session or a change in the morning session. He did some FP1s as well.
“So the change from the two race drivers to Felipe is always very straightforward. We have everything prepared. And I think also when it comes to the driving, Felipe is very robust, very reliable.
“He will run the same programme as Fernando was intended to, because we get super quality results. And then we see how we go on.”
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