Alonso to return to action in F1 Hungarian GP FP2 after missing first practice with injury

Fernando Alonso sat out FP1 for Aston Martin at the Hungarian Grand Prix due to a "muscular injury in his back" which developed after the Belgian GP, but will return in FP2.

In a statement from the Silverstone-based team, it confirmed that the two-time F1 world champion's part in the weekend is still under assessment as he continues treatment, with Aston Martin's reserve driver Felipe Drugovich called into action for FP1.

"In the days following the Belgian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso has been managing a muscular injury in his back. As he continues with treatment this morning, he has chosen to sit out of FP1," the team stated.

"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."

After FP1, Aston Matin confirmed Alonso will return to action for the second practice session.

"He chose to sit out the opening practice session to limit his time in the car as he manages a muscular injury in his back," an update from Aston Martin confirmed between the Friday practice sessions.

"Having undergone further treatment this morning and medically cleared by the FIA, Fernando will be back in the AMR25 alongside Lance Stroll."

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

This is the latest in what has been a difficult season for the Spaniard, who has already suffered with a pinched nerve over the Chinese Grand Prix. His neck was taped for Sunday's race before he retired due to a brake fire. 

“I was wearing some neck protection because I’ve had a pinched nerve or something these past few days," he told the media. “But in the end, it didn’t help much because I didn’t do many laps."

Drugovich, who has served as Aston Martin's reserve driver since 2022, will take on Alonso's AMR25 for the first practice session for the second time this year after the 2022 Formula 2 champion did the same during the Bahrain GP weekend. 

Alonso will have to compete in Saturday's qualifying at the very least to take part in the grand prix. 

"It will be great to see him in Formula 1," Alonso said of Drugovich during Thursday's media sessions. "He has an incredible talent. Formula 2 was a demonstration, but we can see it here every day when we work with him.

"The simulator work, some of the free practices that he has. He has been always delivering the performance that the team was asking, even with very limited kilometres. It will be interesting to see him in a full-time drive and I hope it happens."