Angry Fernando Alonso makes sweary phone call to FIA president Ben Sulayem

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that Fernando Alonso often calls him to swear down the phone when the two-time world champion is angry with matters relating to F1.

At 42 years of age, Alonso is the only driver on the current grid racing into his forties with Lewis Hamilton – the next most senior racer in F1 – being four years younger than the Spaniard. Despite this, he is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Speaking to Spanish news outlet AS about the two-time champion, Ben Sulayem revealed: “Fernando is a true example for young drivers. He was in Formula 1, he left, he came back and he is as strong as ever. That is very complicated, F1 is extreme.

“He’s not just a champion, he’s smart. I’m not saying that others aren’t but Fernando is a truly intelligent champion, good for the sport. When he gets angry, he calls me: ‘Boss! President!’. And he says some swear words.

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“But we are drivers and I understand the frustration of drivers. He is really good at this sport, he talks, he has good ideas and he brings enormous value to the sport. Aside from his speed and the improvement he brings to the team, he is undeniable.”

Unfortunately for Alonso, there was plenty of frustration in the air after qualifying at the United States Grand Prix on Friday. Aston Martin’s weekend was compromised from the get-go with both cars suffering issues that limited running during the critical FP1 session earlier in the afternoon.

These issues scuppered any chance of a positive result for both Aston Martin drivers in qualifying with Stroll taking the chequered flag to record a P19 finish and Alonso only going two spots better in P17.

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Alonso had previously featured in Q3 at all 17 races so far this season, but a first Q1 exit of the campaign put the legendary Spaniard in a frustrated move and left the team’s chances of salvaging points on Sunday in ruins. He explained: “We had a terrible session. 

“Lance didn’t complete any laps, I did only six or seven quality laps with the new package. Too many unknowns with the package and the new car. I think we went a bit blind into qualifying and obviously, this is the result.”

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