Fernando Alonso shares update after birth of first child ahead of Japanese GP
· Yahoo Sports
Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has shared an update after the birth of his first child.
The 44-year-old driver arrived late at the Suzuka Circuit for "personal family reasons", which have now been confirmed to be the arrival of his child with his partner, Melissa Jimenez.
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"I’m a little jet-lagged because I landed this morning, but here we are," Alonso told DAZN Spain after the second practice session. "We just finished FP2, and in a few hours it’s time to sleep - I skipped the European night session."
When asked how his week had been and if it was as he had expected, the Spaniard added that both mother and baby were doing well.
"Well, you never really imagine anything specific," he continued. "Things just happen as they happen, and there’s a bit of stress and worry about everything going well.
"Fortunately, it went well, both for the mum and the baby. A super happy, very special moment."
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlonso quickly brought the conversation back to his on-track performance. The Aston Martin driver confirmed that the Silverstone outfit is continuing to battle against issues with the car.
"Now, back to work, to see what we can do here," Alonso added. "In FP2, we didn’t have great feelings about the car; I’d say it’s still pretty much the same as what we had before.
"We brought some upgraded parts, and in the tests and laps I’ve done so far, I haven’t noticed much of a difference. So we’re still a bit behind in terms of performance, and we need to work tonight to improve.
"It’s Honda’s home race too, and in a difficult time like the one we’re going through, we have to be here, we have to support them, and hopefully finish the race for the first time this year—completing all the laps is the goal."
Photos from Japanese GP - Friday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenClive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Haas F1 detail
Haas F1 detailSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team PrincipalMark Thompson / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsClive Mason / Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingJayce Illman / Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamClive Mason / Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamClive Mason / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsMark Thompson / Getty Images
Jacques Villeneuve arrives in the paddock.
Jacques Villeneuve arrives in the paddock.Clive Mason / Getty Images
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Jean Alesi
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Jean AlesiPeter Fox / Getty Images
A huge crowd of fans gathered at the stage.
A huge crowd of fans gathered at the stage.Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, technical detail
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariArtur Widak / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariArtur Widak / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesJayce Illman / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesJayce Illman / Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, technical detail
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariClive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingClive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariLars Baron / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineClive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Like Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team
Like Crawford, Aston Martin F1 TeamLars Baron / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, technical detail
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, technical detail
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Godzilla logo on the Haas F1 car
Godzilla logo on the Haas F1 carSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, technical detail
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingLars Baron / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, technical detail
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, technical detailMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans of Ferrari
Fans of FerrariMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsPeter Fox / Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingLars Baron / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenPeter Fox / Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesClive Mason / Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsPeter Fox / Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams runs wide
Alexander Albon, Williams runs wideMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamPeter Fox / Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingClive Mason / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing crash
Alexander Albon, Williams, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing crashMartin Trenkler / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
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