Fernando Alonso says driver quality is ‘very low’ towards back of F1 grid

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso criticized the quality of drivers at the rear of the Formula 1 grid as "very low" following Sunday's United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Spanish two-time world champion suffered heavy damage in an opening-lap collision with Williams driver Alex Albon. Alonso claimed half of his car's floor was missing yet managed to finish 16th, one place ahead of Albon.

Alonso argued that points were possible without the incident, noting the constant risks when qualifying near the back. Aston Martin remains 10th in the constructors' standings on seven points, trailing Williams by five after Lance Stroll finished 15th. Albon viewed the incident as fair racing, explaining he pinched his car on the curb and sustained broken front wing damage himself.