Alonso battles through pain and problems in Brazil GP

Fernando Alonso demonstrated remarkable resilience at the Brazilian Grand Prix, battling through severe back pain and persistent brake issues to see the checkered flag in what he described as a "nightmare" race weekend at Interlagos.

Physical toll takes center stage

The two-time world champion's struggles began well before the race, having arrived late to Brazil following an intestinal infection that forced him to return to Europe after the Mexican Grand Prix.

The situation deteriorated further during the race as the newly resurfaced Interlagos circuit's aggressive bumps took their toll on his body.

"It was painful, for sure,"

Alonso revealed post-race.

"The lead-up to this race required extensive preparation, involving numerous checks, physio sessions, and medical consultations just to make it to Brazil."

Dedication to the team

Despite running outside the points and enduring increasing discomfort, Alonso's commitment to his crew proved unwavering.

During the race, he radioed his team:

"I will finish the race for the mechanics. They did a very good job today. But my back is hurting, man. This bouncing is not normal."

The Spanish veteran's determination was particularly evident given his car had been hastily repaired following a qualifying crash.

After the race, visibly in pain and requiring assistance to exit his car, Alonso was embraced by one of his mechanics.

Technical challenges compound physical strain

Adding to his physical ordeal, Alonso grappled with severe brake issues throughout the race, particularly after restarts.

The problem appeared similar to what caused teammate Lance Stroll's formation lap incident.

"I think Lance had the brake problem in the formation lap, and I had the brake issue after all the restarts, where all the brake balance goes completely rearwards,"

Alonso explained.

"It was like braking with a hand brake."

Team-wide brake concerns

The brake issues affected both Aston Martin cars, with Stroll's race ending prematurely after spinning into the barriers at Turn 4 during the formation lap.

The Canadian driver later described the incident:

"As soon as I touched the brakes, I just had a huge rear lock, and then I was a passenger from there."

Initial analysis suggests the problems might stem from the team's wet-weather restart brake mapping, designed to warm the rear tires by shifting the balance rearward, potentially failing to reset properly.

For Alonso, these challenges make the upcoming races crucial for improvement.

"All in all it was a nightmare out there,"

he concluded.

"We need to get better for the next three."