Overview
- Alonso, who skipped Thursday media duties at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, did so as Spanish outlets reported he had become a father for the first time.
- Aston Martin said he would arrive slightly later for personal family reasons and confirmed he will be at the track for Friday.
- He was already due to sit out first practice, with reserve driver Jak Crawford taking his car under Formula 1’s rule that teams must run a young driver in at least one session.
- DAZN led the reporting with multiple Spanish outlets and BBC Sport echoing the news, and Alonso has not yet issued a public confirmation.
- This is the 44-year-old’s first child, and partner Melissa Jimenez is a DAZN F1 presenter who has three children from a previous marriage.