The 2025 Formula 1 season has started on a rocky note for Fernando Alonso, who encountered yet another setback at the Chinese Grand Prix, held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Shanghai. The Spanish driver, a two-time world champion, was forced to retire from the race in its early stages due to a critical brake failure in his Aston Martin AMR25. Starting from 13th on the grid, Alonso managed to gain one position at the start, but the mechanical issue cut short any hopes of a comeback. The problem, which surfaced after just four laps, marked his second consecutive retirement in 2025, underscoring a challenging beginning for both him and the British team. Smoke billowing from the rear brakes, as noted by Pierre Gasly over the radio, was a clear indicator of trouble, prompting Alonso to limp back to the pits and end his race prematurely.
The Chinese GP, the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, promised an action-packed weekend in Shanghai, but for Alonso, it concluded in frustration. After retiring, the 43-year-old veteran described the severity of the issue, noting that the brake pedal sank completely during one of the corners. He emphasized that the failure could have had far worse consequences had it occurred in a high-speed section, such as the circuit’s final turn, where top speeds amplify the risks.
Not the start to the season Fernando Alonso would have wanted after retiring from the first two races 😞 pic.twitter.com/ePpOqAHbKa
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 23, 2025
This latest setback has raised questions about the reliability of Aston Martin’s car. Alonso’s retirement in China follows his crash in the Australian GP a week earlier, where he also failed to finish. The team now faces a race against time to investigate the brake overheating issue and ensure it doesn’t derail their performance in upcoming races.
A season start to forget
Fernando Alonso’s performance in the opening races of 2025 has been plagued by misfortune. At the Australian GP, held in Melbourne from March 13 to 16, the Spaniard retired after a crash on lap 34 while running in 10th place. Fighting for points, he lost control in turn six and hit the wall, ending his race early.
In Shanghai, hopes were high for a turnaround, but the brake failure dashed those plans. Starting 13th, Alonso made a strong move off the line, overtaking a rival, but the issue surfaced almost immediately, with the rear brakes overheating to a degree that caught Gasly’s attention from behind.
Technical details worsen the situation
The brake failure in the AMR25 isn’t an isolated incident in Alonso’s recent career. In 2024, during the Mexico City GP, he retired due to brake overheating, marking his 400th Formula 1 start. That race saw a tear-off (a disposable visor strip discarded by drivers) get lodged in the cooling system, contributing to his exit on lap 16.
- Recurring issues: Brake overheating has troubled Alonso in both 2024 and 2025.
- Immediate impact: In Shanghai, the pedal went to the floor, forcing a pit return.
- Narrow escape: Alonso noted the failure in a slow corner prevented a bigger crash.
What unfolded at the Chinese GP
While Alonso dealt with his woes, the Chinese GP continued with fierce battles in Shanghai. The race, which started at 4 a.m. Brasília time, offered drivers a chance to push their cars to the limit on a track known for its long corners and demanding straights. For Aston Martin, however, attention shifted from racing to technical analysis. After retiring, Alonso was spotted discussing the issue with engineers in the pits as the team began probing the brake failure’s root cause.
Despite the disappointment, Alonso remained composed when addressing the incident. He admitted he was aware of the rear brake overheating from the race’s outset but didn’t anticipate it worsening so quickly. His focus now turns to the next race in Japan, where he hopes to finally see the checkered flag in 2025.
Aston Martin’s form in 2025 has been inconsistent. In Australia, the team showed potential to score points, but Alonso’s incidents have exposed weaknesses that need addressing. In Shanghai, Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate, started 14th, just behind the Spaniard, though the race outcome remained unclear at the time of Alonso’s exit.
Timeline of Alonso’s 2025 retirements
Alonso’s troubles this season are forming a concerning pattern for Aston Martin. Here’s a breakdown of his two races so far:
- Australian GP (March 16): Starting mid-pack, Alonso was in 10th when he lost control in turn six on lap 34, crashing into the wall. Wet conditions and a tricky kerb contributed to the mistake, costing valuable Constructors’ Championship points.
- Chinese GP (March 23): After gaining a position at the start, Alonso’s rear brakes overheated. By lap four, the pedal failed, forcing him to retire.
A career defined by challenges
With over two decades in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso is renowned for his resilience and skill in overcoming adversity. His world titles, won in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, cemented his legacy among the sport’s elite. Since then, he’s raced for teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Alpine, navigating peaks and valleys in pursuit of competitiveness.
Now with Aston Martin since 2023, Alonso is part of a team aiming for renewal, bolstered by the arrival of legendary engineer Adrian Newey for 2025. Expectations were high for a more competitive car, but early technical woes suggest a longer road ahead. In 2024, he hit the 400-start milestone, yet the season included retirements and struggles, such as the São Paulo GP, where he finished with back pain due to the track’s bumps.
Alonso’s tenure with Aston Martin has been a rollercoaster. In 2023, he secured podiums and proved he can still compete at the top, but reliability issues in 2024 and now 2025 have cast doubts on the team’s project.
Looking ahead to the near future
Alonso’s sights are set on the Japanese GP in Suzuka, the next stop on the calendar. The technically demanding circuit, with its fast corners, will test Aston Martin’s ability to resolve the brake issues. The Spaniard expressed cautious optimism about finishing the race and scoring points, a goal yet to be achieved in 2025.
The team faces mounting pressure to deliver. Newey’s arrival signals ambition, but Alonso’s back-to-back retirements highlight the need for immediate fixes. The investigation into Shanghai’s brake overheating will be critical to avoiding further setbacks.
- Next steps: Detailed AMR25 analysis to address mechanical flaws.
- Tight schedule: The Japanese GP in early April leaves little time for adjustments.
- Recovery hopes: Alonso and Aston Martin aim to score in Suzuka.
Formula 1 calendar and upcoming races
The 2025 Formula 1 season maintains a grueling pace, with races spread across the year. After China, drivers get a short breather before heading to Japan. Here are the next confirmed events:
- Japanese GP: Early April in Suzuka, with a start time around 2 a.m. Brasília time.
- Bahrain GP: The season opener in March kicked off the 2025 campaign.
- Saudi Arabian GP: The third race, also in March, preceded Australia and China.
With 24 races slated for 2025, Formula 1 promises excitement and challenges aplenty. For Alonso, the priority is overcoming this rough patch to reclaim his competitive edge.
Impact on the championship and Aston Martin
Alonso’s retirement in China directly affects the Constructors’ Championship, where every point counts. In Australia, he was in the points before crashing, and in Shanghai, a decent result was possible despite his starting position. Losing those opportunities hurts Aston Martin’s standings as they aim to establish themselves among the top teams.
For Alonso, the toll is more personal. Two races into 2025, he’s yet to score, a rare occurrence in his storied career. The onus is on Aston Martin to provide a reliable car, while Alonso strives to stay motivated amid a tough start.
Yet, Alonso’s experience remains a strength. He’s weathered difficult seasons before and knows how to bounce back. In Shanghai, he pointed out the fortune of avoiding a worse crash, showcasing the sharp instincts that have defined his career.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has started on a rocky note for Fernando Alonso, who encountered yet another setback at the Chinese Grand Prix, held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Shanghai. The Spanish driver, a two-time world champion, was forced to retire from the race in its early stages due to a critical brake failure in his Aston Martin AMR25. Starting from 13th on the grid, Alonso managed to gain one position at the start, but the mechanical issue cut short any hopes of a comeback. The problem, which surfaced after just four laps, marked his second consecutive retirement in 2025, underscoring a challenging beginning for both him and the British team. Smoke billowing from the rear brakes, as noted by Pierre Gasly over the radio, was a clear indicator of trouble, prompting Alonso to limp back to the pits and end his race prematurely.
The Chinese GP, the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, promised an action-packed weekend in Shanghai, but for Alonso, it concluded in frustration. After retiring, the 43-year-old veteran described the severity of the issue, noting that the brake pedal sank completely during one of the corners. He emphasized that the failure could have had far worse consequences had it occurred in a high-speed section, such as the circuit’s final turn, where top speeds amplify the risks.
Not the start to the season Fernando Alonso would have wanted after retiring from the first two races 😞 pic.twitter.com/ePpOqAHbKa
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 23, 2025
This latest setback has raised questions about the reliability of Aston Martin’s car. Alonso’s retirement in China follows his crash in the Australian GP a week earlier, where he also failed to finish. The team now faces a race against time to investigate the brake overheating issue and ensure it doesn’t derail their performance in upcoming races.
A season start to forget
Fernando Alonso’s performance in the opening races of 2025 has been plagued by misfortune. At the Australian GP, held in Melbourne from March 13 to 16, the Spaniard retired after a crash on lap 34 while running in 10th place. Fighting for points, he lost control in turn six and hit the wall, ending his race early.
In Shanghai, hopes were high for a turnaround, but the brake failure dashed those plans. Starting 13th, Alonso made a strong move off the line, overtaking a rival, but the issue surfaced almost immediately, with the rear brakes overheating to a degree that caught Gasly’s attention from behind.
Technical details worsen the situation
The brake failure in the AMR25 isn’t an isolated incident in Alonso’s recent career. In 2024, during the Mexico City GP, he retired due to brake overheating, marking his 400th Formula 1 start. That race saw a tear-off (a disposable visor strip discarded by drivers) get lodged in the cooling system, contributing to his exit on lap 16.
- Recurring issues: Brake overheating has troubled Alonso in both 2024 and 2025.
- Immediate impact: In Shanghai, the pedal went to the floor, forcing a pit return.
- Narrow escape: Alonso noted the failure in a slow corner prevented a bigger crash.
What unfolded at the Chinese GP
While Alonso dealt with his woes, the Chinese GP continued with fierce battles in Shanghai. The race, which started at 4 a.m. Brasília time, offered drivers a chance to push their cars to the limit on a track known for its long corners and demanding straights. For Aston Martin, however, attention shifted from racing to technical analysis. After retiring, Alonso was spotted discussing the issue with engineers in the pits as the team began probing the brake failure’s root cause.
Despite the disappointment, Alonso remained composed when addressing the incident. He admitted he was aware of the rear brake overheating from the race’s outset but didn’t anticipate it worsening so quickly. His focus now turns to the next race in Japan, where he hopes to finally see the checkered flag in 2025.
Aston Martin’s form in 2025 has been inconsistent. In Australia, the team showed potential to score points, but Alonso’s incidents have exposed weaknesses that need addressing. In Shanghai, Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate, started 14th, just behind the Spaniard, though the race outcome remained unclear at the time of Alonso’s exit.
Timeline of Alonso’s 2025 retirements
Alonso’s troubles this season are forming a concerning pattern for Aston Martin. Here’s a breakdown of his two races so far:
- Australian GP (March 16): Starting mid-pack, Alonso was in 10th when he lost control in turn six on lap 34, crashing into the wall. Wet conditions and a tricky kerb contributed to the mistake, costing valuable Constructors’ Championship points.
- Chinese GP (March 23): After gaining a position at the start, Alonso’s rear brakes overheated. By lap four, the pedal failed, forcing him to retire.
A career defined by challenges
With over two decades in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso is renowned for his resilience and skill in overcoming adversity. His world titles, won in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, cemented his legacy among the sport’s elite. Since then, he’s raced for teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Alpine, navigating peaks and valleys in pursuit of competitiveness.
Now with Aston Martin since 2023, Alonso is part of a team aiming for renewal, bolstered by the arrival of legendary engineer Adrian Newey for 2025. Expectations were high for a more competitive car, but early technical woes suggest a longer road ahead. In 2024, he hit the 400-start milestone, yet the season included retirements and struggles, such as the São Paulo GP, where he finished with back pain due to the track’s bumps.
Alonso’s tenure with Aston Martin has been a rollercoaster. In 2023, he secured podiums and proved he can still compete at the top, but reliability issues in 2024 and now 2025 have cast doubts on the team’s project.
Looking ahead to the near future
Alonso’s sights are set on the Japanese GP in Suzuka, the next stop on the calendar. The technically demanding circuit, with its fast corners, will test Aston Martin’s ability to resolve the brake issues. The Spaniard expressed cautious optimism about finishing the race and scoring points, a goal yet to be achieved in 2025.
The team faces mounting pressure to deliver. Newey’s arrival signals ambition, but Alonso’s back-to-back retirements highlight the need for immediate fixes. The investigation into Shanghai’s brake overheating will be critical to avoiding further setbacks.
- Next steps: Detailed AMR25 analysis to address mechanical flaws.
- Tight schedule: The Japanese GP in early April leaves little time for adjustments.
- Recovery hopes: Alonso and Aston Martin aim to score in Suzuka.
Formula 1 calendar and upcoming races
The 2025 Formula 1 season maintains a grueling pace, with races spread across the year. After China, drivers get a short breather before heading to Japan. Here are the next confirmed events:
- Japanese GP: Early April in Suzuka, with a start time around 2 a.m. Brasília time.
- Bahrain GP: The season opener in March kicked off the 2025 campaign.
- Saudi Arabian GP: The third race, also in March, preceded Australia and China.
With 24 races slated for 2025, Formula 1 promises excitement and challenges aplenty. For Alonso, the priority is overcoming this rough patch to reclaim his competitive edge.
Impact on the championship and Aston Martin
Alonso’s retirement in China directly affects the Constructors’ Championship, where every point counts. In Australia, he was in the points before crashing, and in Shanghai, a decent result was possible despite his starting position. Losing those opportunities hurts Aston Martin’s standings as they aim to establish themselves among the top teams.
For Alonso, the toll is more personal. Two races into 2025, he’s yet to score, a rare occurrence in his storied career. The onus is on Aston Martin to provide a reliable car, while Alonso strives to stay motivated amid a tough start.
Yet, Alonso’s experience remains a strength. He’s weathered difficult seasons before and knows how to bounce back. In Shanghai, he pointed out the fortune of avoiding a worse crash, showcasing the sharp instincts that have defined his career.
