Daijiworld Media Network – Budapest

Budapest, Aug 2: Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso missed the first practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday due to a back injury, casting doubt over his participation in the rest of the race weekend.

Aston Martin confirmed in a post on X that Alonso has been managing a muscular back injury since the Belgian Grand Prix last week. The Spaniard was replaced in the first session by reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.

Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion and Aston Martin’s reserve driver for four seasons, clocked the 16th-fastest time—just over 0.3 seconds behind regular driver Lance Stroll.

The team said Alonso is undergoing treatment and will be assessed before a decision is made regarding his participation in the second practice and the remainder of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.

“A decision will then be made on Fernando's participation in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend in due course,” Aston Martin stated.

If Alonso is ruled out, it could mark Drugovich’s long-awaited F1 debut.