Formula 1 drivers are used to grueling travel schedules, but Fernando Alonso just took this to an entirely new level. The two-time World Champion skipped Thursday’s media day and Friday’s Free Practice 1 at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix for the best reason possible: the birth of his first child.

A Jet-Lagged Return to the Grid

On Wednesday, March 25, Alonso and his partner, sports journalist Melissa Jimenez, welcomed a baby into the world. Naturally, the 44-year-old Aston Martin driver stayed in Europe to be with his family, forcing him to push back his arrival in Suzuka. Reserve driver Jak Crawford took the wheel of the AMR26 for FP1.

But Alonso wasn’t about to miss the entire race weekend. He jumped on a plane, skipped a full night of sleep, and landed in Japan on Friday morning just in time to suit up for Free Practice 2.

In an interview with DAZN (translated by AI) shortly after getting out of the car, Alonso looked understandably exhausted but boasted a smile that reached from ear to ear.

“Good, a little bit of jet lag because I only landed this morning,” Alonso said when asked how he was feeling. “We’ve done FP2 now, and in a few hours [I need] to sleep, as I skipped the European night, let’s say”.

When asked about the whirlwind week and the stress of becoming a father, he added:

“Everything comes as it comes… well, with a bit of stress, worry that everything would go well. It went well fortunately, both the mom and the baby, and… very happy, a super happy moment, very special. And now, straight to work”.

FERNANDO ALONSO ES EL PAPÁ MÁS FELIZ DEL MUNDO

"Ha salido todo bien afortunadamente, tanto la mamá como el bebé. Es un momento superfeliz, muy especial"#JaponDAZNF1pic.twitter.com/dLmch7m2YM

— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) March 27, 2026

Back to Work in a Brutal Aston Martin

Unfortunately for the new dad, getting back to work means wrestling with one of the most physically punishing cars on the 2026 grid.

Aston Martin has had a nightmarish start to the season. The AMR26 is currently plagued by severe power unit vibration issues. The violent movements are so bad that Alonso actually had to retire the car at the previous race in China because his hands and feet were going numb.

Despite flying halfway across the world with zero sleep, Alonso managed to get through FP2. However, the performance of the Aston Martin is still miles off the pace. He finished the session down in 19th place, over 3.4 seconds behind the leading McLaren of Oscar Piastri. Even with new upgrades brought to Japan, including changes to the front wing and floor, Alonso admitted the car still felt “a bit of the same”.