Fernando Alonso joked that watching the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from the grandstands would be better than racing his Aston Martin. The comment came during the pre-race drivers' parade at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The two-time champion stepped off the flatbed truck during the parade and greeted fans by throwing merchandise into the crowd. He told Spanish TV that he planned to stay in the stands to watch the race.
Alonso started the Grand Prix from the pitlane after Aston Martin made changes following his difficult qualifying session, where he lined up 22nd. The 44-year-old described the weekend as special and possibly his last in Barcelona.
He called it his 23rd Spanish Grand Prix and said he wanted fans to enjoy the event despite limited competitiveness. Barcelona will not host a race in 2027 but returns on an alternating schedule with Spa-Francorchamps starting in 2028.
