Gravel on Lap 1 ends Alonso's Monza race with suspension failure

Aston Martin said gravel thrown up on the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza compromised Fernando Alonso's suspension and led to his retirement later in the race, ending a promising outing for the two time world champion. Alonso pulled off at the pits with a suspension failure on lap 24 or 25, according to differing race reports, after running over the Ascari exit kerb when the damaged part finally gave way.

Aston Martin's postrace investigation found that debris struck Alonso's AMR25 on the first lap, hitting multiple areas of the car including suspension components and leaving hidden damage that worsened under repeated loading. "The team can confirm some gravel hit Fernando's car in the first lap of the race in multiple areas, including his suspension, which compromised it," the team said in a statement. "Low level, continuous loading caused the eventual failure of the part."

Television onboard footage and race reports showed a scramble into Turn 1 where Lando Norris was squeezed toward the right and ran onto grass and gravel, sending a spray of debris down the racing line. Alonso was several cars back but directly in the path of the stones, the team said. During...