Fernando Alonso braces for setback in recovery from Sao Paulo Grand Prix “nightmarish”.
Alonso arrived late in Brazil after returning to Europe from the Mexico Grand Prix with an intestinal infection and treatment by specialists, missing the media day for the second week in a row.
The Aston Martin driver then complained of severe lower back pain in the final minutes of the race.
Alonso radioed his team to say he would only finish the race as a thank you to the mechanics who rebuilt his car Sunday morning after the qualifying crash.
He has since suggested that the recovery time after the weekend will involve some setbacks.
“There was a lot of bouncing and porpoising in the second half of the race, but I don't know why, so it was difficult on track and we got out of the points zone.”
“As I said, in other circumstances I probably would have stopped, but the mechanics did an incredible job before the race to get the car back on the grid, so I had to finish for them, but it It was difficult.”
Alonso remains mysterious about the nature of his physical problems, in particular those encountered at the intestinal level and which required a restrictive return trip to Europe. Asked about this, he did not want to reveal them.
“It was painful, that's all I can tell you. And before this race, there was a lot of preparation on my part, a lot of checks, a lot of hard work, a lot of physio and doctors to see to come here to Brazil.”
“It was an incredible commitment to come here to drive a car that was not capable of racing with the others, all the checks were done, I checked everything in the last few days and we worked a lot.”
“After this race we will definitely have a setback with my body for the next few days, I will have to rest and enjoy the little break before Las Vegas.”
