Aston Martin experienced one of the toughest moments of the 2026 Formula 1 season on Friday in Miami, but escaped an even bigger blow. Despite a very poor performance in SQ1 of the Sprint qualifying, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were allowed to compete in this Saturday’s short race.
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The result avoids a disqualification that seemed inevitable after both fell outside the 107% limit of the best time. The stewards’ decision ensures the team’s presence on the Sprint race grid, even amid a phase marked by many technical difficulties and lack of performance.
In the Sprint qualifying at Miami International Autodrome, Stroll did not even manage to set a time after locking his wheels heavily on his only fast lap. Alonso, meanwhile, recorded 1:41.311s, almost 13 seconds slower than Lando Norris of McLaren, who led SQ1 and took pole. The Spaniard was an astonishing 6.4 seconds beyond the required limit to qualify for the race.
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Not meeting the 107% criterion, the two drivers depended on an evaluation by the stewards. The decision was favorable because both had set times considered acceptable in the only free practice session of the weekend, which lasted 90 minutes. Even being the slowest in the session, Stroll was within a parameter considered sufficient.
In an official statement, the FIA stewards explained the decision: “According to Article B2.2.3b of the FIA F1 Regulations, the stewards grant permission for both cars to start, as the drivers set satisfactory times in the practice for this competition,” the statement concludes.
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