Unas gotas de esperanza para Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso enters the São Paulo Grand Prix seeking points, a realistic target at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace where rain could be the great equalizer. The two-time world champion, with only seven points to his name in the 2026 season, views a top-12 or top-13 finish as a gateway to scoring, El Correo reported.
Alonso’s Brazilian Strategy
Alonso’s optimism is rooted in the circuit’s notorious weather and his own wet-weather pedigree. A 13th-place finish in Friday’s first practice session, hampered by the presence of several test drivers on track, provides a baseline. It is not a result to celebrate, but it is a starting point. The driver arrives in Brazil after a frustrating retirement from the Mexican Grand Prix due to a mechanical failure, a result that showed his urgent need to score. “Navegar por la zona pegada al ‘top 10’, en torno al duodécimo … o decimotercero, le basta para esperar que puede llegar a puntuar,” El Correo reported, highlighting Alonso’s own stated outlook.
A Race Defined by Weather
The most significant variable for the weekend—and potentially for Alonso’s hopes—is the forecast. Meteorological predictions indicate a severe storm is likely to hit Interlagos on race day. Forecasts cited by El Correo suggest a 90% chance of rain at certain points during the Grand Prix, setting the stage for a wet-weather contest. This prospect has been on all drivers’ minds throughout the week. While Friday’s second practice session saw only a light shower and a warning, it was not enough to compel teams to switch to intermediate or wet tires. The real test, however, will come on Sunday, when a downpour could completely alter the competitive order.
Strong Winds Challenge Braking Zones
In the absence of significant rain on Friday, strong winds created challenges of their own. Several drivers, including Alonso, were compromised at key braking zones, such as the entrance to the Senna ‘S’ corners and the circuit’s high-speed section. These technical sections demand precise car control and bravery, areas where Alonso has long excelled. “Aquí es donde las manos de piloto cuentan más, lo que invita a ser relativamente optimista a un Fernando Alonso que está motivado para darle la vuelta a la situación,” El Correo reported. For a driver and team like Aston Martin, currently struggling for pace, these are the conditions that can close the gap to the front-runners.
Antonelli Leads the Way
While Alonso looks for an edge in the wet, the new world champion is setting the pace. Kimi Antonelli, in his first season with Mercedes, topped the timesheets in Friday’s second practice. The young driver, sporting a helmet design dedicated to Ayrton Senna, is clearly unburdened by the weight of his newly won title. He extracted the maximum performance from his car, demonstrating both speed and motivation. His performance shows that Mercedes is a formidable force, even as his teammate, George Russell, faces a setback.
Russell’s Grid Penalty
Russell’s weekend has been complicated by a five-place grid penalty. The penalty was confirmed on Friday after a problem was discovered with the thermal component of his power unit. This development means that even if Russell posts a competitive lap time in qualifying on Saturday, he will start the race from a lower position and have to pass at least four other drivers to recover ground. It adds another layer of complexity to what has already been a challenging 2026 season for the Briton.
What’s Next: Saturday’s Qualifying
The focus now shifts to Saturday’s qualifying session. For Alonso, the goal is to position his Aston Martin favorably for a wet-weather race. For Antonelli, it is about securing pole position and building a strong foundation for the race. And for Russell, it is about overcoming his penalty and salvaging a result. All eyes will be on the sky, as the forecast for Sunday continues to dominate the narrative ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Worth a look
