For Round 21 of the 2024 Formula One World Championship, we're in São Paulo for the conclusion of the triple-header. Get the thoughts of Lance and Fernando below after Sunday in São Paulo.
Due to Saturday's weather conditions, both Qualifying and the Grand Prix took place on Sunday. São Paulo's passionate crowd arrived at the track early in the morning for Qualifying, where our drivers qualified in the top ten. Later in the day, Fernando finished the Grand Prix in P14.
Sunday round-up and reaction
Qualifying got underway at 07:30 local time – the earliest Qualifying session in Formula One's history.
Lance and Fernando started on the Full Wet tyre. After switching to Intermediates in Q2, both drivers got through to the final Qualifying segment. However, following damage for Lance at the end of Q2 and Fernando in Q3, our drivers concluded the session in P9 and P10 and our team worked hard to ensure both cars were repaired ahead of the Grand Prix.
Lance went off during the Formation Lap, resulting in him being unable to start the race. Fernando began from P10 on Intermediates.
Fernando pitted at the end of Lap 27 under the Virtual Safety Car, switching to a new set of Intermediates.
Following a Red Flag on Lap 33, Fernando restarted on Intermediates from ninth.
After a damp race with several flags and Safety Cars, Fernando finished P14.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Qualifying & Race
"It was a really strange one. It felt like a brake failure because as soon as I touched the brakes it locked the rear axle and I was a passenger. I was stuck in the gravel and my race was done. It is such a shame because in a wet race like today anything can be possible, but we were not able to take those opportunities."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Qualifying & Race
"All in all it was a tough day today. We had to change some components after the crash in Qualifying which meant the car was a little bit slower. We also had a brake issue after the restart.
"The car was really bouncing in the second half of the race – in other circumstances I would have stopped – but the mechanics did such a good job to get the car ready after the crash, so I finished the race for them. The triple-header has not been easy for us, with another one coming. We need to regroup and find some more performance."
Mike Krack | Team Principal
"A trip to a special motorsport venue but a weekend to forget for our team. A point-less and brutal triple-header which takes its toll on the team working trackside and back at the AMRTC.
"Looking for the positives it was a Herculean effort by both car crews, with a reduced schedule, to get both cars onto the grid just in time today. Also a special mention for the FIA and F1 for being pragmatic and flexible with the schedule to allow the drivers and teams to put on a show for the passionate South American fans.
"On the formation lap, there seemed to be an issue with Lance's car under braking, he managed to get going but the AMR24 got beached in the heavy gravel bringing his day to a premature end. We will need to fully investigate what happened but it was unexpected.
"Fernando was in the points for most of the race but also locked the rears and was shuffled down to the back of the pack. He was in a lot of discomfort at the end of the race with the bumpy track so our priority is to make sure he is OK.
"Following our recent run of form, we have to take responsibility for not giving Lance and Fernando the car they deserve. They are being very patient but we are asking too much from them at the moment."
Next up
We're back on the track on 21-23 November for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Saturday
After the team opted to make set-up changes to both cars, Lance and Fernando began the Sprint from the pit lane on Medium tyres.
Our drivers used the Sprint as an opportunity to learn more about their setup and gather information ahead of Qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Due to a lack of visibility caused by the level of rain and subsequent standing water rendering conditions unsafe, Qualifying was postponed to Sunday morning.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Sprint
"The Sprint was always going to be difficult with the pitlane start but we'll make some set-up changes and see what we can do for Qualifying and the race tomorrow."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Sprint
"We haven't found our sweet spot so far this weekend. We tried some set-up changes for the Sprint race but we didn't succeed in terms of finding more pace. It's a tight midfield so we will need to qualify well to score points."
Friday
Ahead of the weekend, the 4.309km track of Autódromo José Carlos Pace was entirely resurfaced. Therefore, with one Free Practice this weekend, it was pivotal for our drivers and team to get reacquainted with the track and gather as much data as possible before Sprint Qualifying.
Fernando and Lance tested all three tyre types across Free Practice One, starting with Hards. Both drivers switched to the Medium compound before finishing the session on Softs.
Later in the day, it was time for Sprint Qualifying. Concluding P16, Fernando was just 0.117 seconds away from getting through to SQ2. Lance finished the session in P19.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Free Practice & Sprint Qualifying
"I think everybody is suffering with the track conditions. It's very bumpy compared to previous years and that's having a big impact on things. It has not been easy to set the car up and we have tried a lot of things. Apart from that, we just didn't have the pace to fight for more today. Let's wait and see what we can do tomorrow and if we can find some more performance."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Free Practice & Sprint Qualifying
"We didn't have the pace in Sprint Qualifying today. We had to make some changes to the car after Free Practice 1 due to the bumpy track conditions, which we knew would be detrimental to our pace. It's going to be difficult to score points tomorrow in the Sprint, so we have to keep ourselves focused on Sunday."
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