Fernando Alonso voiced sharp frustration with his engine and energy deployment at the Singapore Grand Prix, revealing that software glitches caused his car to waste power in the wrong sections of the Marina Bay Circuit.
Software and Energy Deployment Failures at Marina Bay
During the race in Singapore, Fernando Alonso experienced severe drivetrain issues that directly hindered his performance. The Aston Martin driver stated that his car failed to register its correct location on the circuit, leading to erratic energy deployment. According to remarks reported by Sport, the vehicle spent electrical power where it was not needed while failing to discharge energy on the straights.
Alonso finished sixteenth in the race and expressed deep irritation over the team’s power unit struggles across the weekend. “There is something in the engine, yes,” Alonso said, pointing to issues with drivability and turbo lag that cost the team crucial time per lap. He noted that the problems surfaced after safety car interventions, leaving him unable to capitalize on position changes.
Honda Turbo Replacement and Previous Drivetrain Incidents
Shintaro Orihara, chief engineer at HRC, acknowledged the decision, stating that they listened to the driver because he acts as the best sensor available.
Circuit Nature Versus Mechanical Performance
Addressing whether Aston Martin has taken a competitive step backward or if the difficulties were dictated by the track layout in Singapore, Alonso remained undecided. He pointed out that previous outings at Sepang and Baku did not feature the same severe power unit symptoms, though the tight, twisty nature of Marina Bay amplified their straight-line speed deficits. The Spaniard noted that he was losing roughly 200 meters on every straight against rivals.
Despite the high humidity and physical toll of the night race—which forced drivers like Lewis Hamilton to visit medical services—Alonso completed the distance cleanly at age 45. Reflecting on the historic layout of Singapore and its lack of overtaking opportunities, Alonso compared current conditions to past eras of Formula 1, noting that qualifying dominance has defined street circuits for decades from the days of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to his own defensive drives against Red Bull in 2010.
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