Fernando Alonso shares update after birth of first child ahead of Japanese GP

2026-03-27 · Yahoo Sports

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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

Alonso 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

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Haas F1 detail

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

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Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

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Alexander Albon, Williams

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Jacques Villeneuve arrives in the paddock.

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Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Jean Alesi

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A huge crowd of fans gathered at the stage.

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, technical detail

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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George Russell, Mercedes

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, technical detail

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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

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Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Like Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, technical detail

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Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, technical detail

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Godzilla logo on the Haas F1 car

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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, technical detail

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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, technical detail

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

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Fans of Ferrari

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Carlos Sainz, Williams

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

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Oscar Piastri, McLaren

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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

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Lando Norris, McLaren

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

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Alexander Albon, Williams

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Oscar Piastri, McLaren

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

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Alexander Albon, Williams runs wide

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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Alexander Albon, Williams, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing crash

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

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