The Aston Martin Veteran Narrowly Avoids Collision With His Own Protégé
In a sport where milliseconds can separate glory from disaster, there are few moments more heart-stopping than an unexpected lunge into a tight corner. For Fernando Alonso, that moment came during Lap 25 of a Grand Prix weekend that was already shaping up to be a frustrating one.
As the Spanish veteran battled in the midfield, trying to salvage some much-needed points for his team and season, a split-second decision from Gabriel Bortoleto, one of the grid’s youngest and brightest prospects — and, curiously, Alonso’s own client — nearly sent the two crashing into the barriers.
It wasn’t just another racing incident. It was one of those rare, ironic moments that leaves even the most experienced drivers shaking their heads — and maybe cancelling a dinner reservation.
Bortoleto’s Aggressive Move Raises Eyebrows
It all unfolded in the heat of a mid-pack battle. After Liam Lawson overtook Bortoleto into Turn 1, the Brazilian rookie attempted to reclaim some ground by adjusting his line into the next sequence. But in doing so, he moved aggressively toward the inside — unaware that Alonso had just positioned his Aston Martin in that very pocket of tarmac.
Alonso had to react instantly. Cutting across the run-off area to avoid a collision, he aborted his trajectory and immediately yielded the position, wary of attracting the stewards’ attention for track limits or potential advantage gained.
“I was surprised,” Alonso admitted after the race. “I didn’t expect him there. I had to cut the corner just to avoid contact. That’s the last thing anyone wants — especially when it’s your own driver.”
Indeed, the twist in this story is the relationship between the two. Bortoleto is managed by Alonso’s own representation group, a fact that adds a whole layer of complexity to what might otherwise be chalked up as just another near miss.
“Maybe No Dinner Tonight”
Alonso, ever the cool head even when his race turns sour, brushed off the incident with a smile and a bit of dry humour.
“At the end of the day, we took the same flight home,” he said. “But maybe tonight, he won’t get dinner from me.”
It’s the kind of comment that makes Alonso so endearing in the paddock — a mixture of blunt truth and playful sarcasm. While some drivers might have lashed out, the 42-year-old chose instead to lean into the irony of the moment.
Still, the brush with disaster did little to improve his mood after a race that left him once again outside the points, finishing 11th and continuing a season in which Alonso remains pointless after five rounds.
It’s a strange sight — the two-time world champion, so often at the sharp end, now fighting tooth and nail just to break into the top 10.
Bortoleto Responds: “I Just Didn’t See Him”
To his credit, Bortoleto didn’t deflect blame. Speaking after the race, the 19-year-old acknowledged the scare and offered a sincere explanation.
“There was a car behind me — I knew that,” he said. “But once Lawson went through, I tried to open up the corner to get a better exit, and then Fernando was suddenly there. It all happened really quickly. I didn’t see him.”
Bortoleto, clearly aware of the awkward dynamics, added with a laugh, “Maybe I just wanted to give him a little scare… But I’m joking, of course.”
There’s no doubt the young driver has talent — he wouldn’t be on Alonso’s radar otherwise. But the learning curve in Formula 1 is steep, and moments like these underscore just how unforgiving the margins are at the elite level.
A Mentor’s Patience — For Now
Alonso has worn many hats in the sport — world champion, team leader, comeback king. Now, in the twilight of his driving days, he has also taken on the role of mentor and manager, guiding young racers like Bortoleto as they begin their own journeys.
It’s a balancing act that requires a great deal of patience and perspective, especially when those rookies end up jeopardising your own race. But for now, Alonso seems content to chalk it up as a lesson learned — for both of them.
“I always tell the young guys to be aggressive, to take their chances,” Alonso reflected. “But they also have to learn where the line is. Gabriel is talented — he’s got a bright future. He just needs to manage the risk a bit better.”
A Tough Season for Alonso and Aston Martin
As for Alonso himself, 2024 has been a far cry from the fairy tale comeback season of 2023. Last year, he stormed to podiums and wowed fans with his racecraft and resilience. This year, Aston Martin have slipped backward in the development race, leaving Alonso to fend off the likes of Haas, Alpine, and Sauber rather than chase podiums.
After five rounds, he sits 0-for-5 in terms of points — an almost unthinkable stat for a driver of his calibre. And while there are no signs of him throwing in the towel, it’s clear the frustration is beginning to bubble under the surface.
Incidents like Sunday’s — even with someone he mentors — only add to the sense that Alonso’s patience may be wearing thin.
Still a Master of the Narrative
Yet through it all, Alonso continues to command attention. Whether he’s delivering precision on track, fire in his radio messages, or dry wit in the media pen, the Spaniard remains one of the sport’s most compelling figures.
In a season where results haven’t gone his way, he’s still managing to stay relevant — not through controversy or controversy chasing, but through sheer charisma and honesty.
And maybe that’s what sets Alonso apart. Even when he’s nearly run off the road by his own protégé, he’s capable of delivering a line like “maybe no dinner tonight” with a straight face and a knowing grin.
Looking Ahead
For Bortoleto, the takeaway is simple: respect the space, especially when the car next to you belongs to the guy who helps manage your career.
For Alonso, the bigger question looms: how much longer can he keep finding humour in the chaos of a season that refuses to deliver?
The journey continues next weekend, and you can bet both drivers — mentor and mentee — will be under the microscope once again.
But dinner plans? That might still be TBD.
