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Motorsport

Lydia Mee

Fernando Alonso jokes watching Barcelona GP is “better than in the car”

Fernando Alonso Barcelona Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso delivered a brilliant moment of self-deprecatory humour ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, jokingly telling his passionate fans that he would rather watch the race from the grandstands than from his Aston Martin Formula 1 car.

The two-time champion was taking part in the traditional pre-race drivers' parade at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when the viral moment unfolded. As the flatbed truck slowly made its way around the track, the crowds went wild when it came to a stop and Alonso stepped off.

As he ran up to his fans and threw merchandise into the crowd, Alonso joked to Spanish TV: "I'm gonna stay here to watch the race, it's better than in the car."

The 44-year-old started the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from the pitlane after the Aston Martin team made some changes following a difficult qualifying session that left Alonso 22nd.

Speaking during the drivers' press conference, Alonso admitted that this could be his final F1 race in Barcelona.

"It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1," he said.

🤯 LOCURA CON FERNANDO ALONSO

Se ha bajado del autobús y la grada se ha vuelto LOCA

😂 "Me voy a quedar a ver aquí la carrera, que se está mejor que en el coche"#F1 #BarcelonaGP 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/FDTWanh5rb
— Nachez (@Nachez98) June 14, 2026

"So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the race, hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend.

"It has always been a celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well."

Barcelona will not be part of the F1 calendar in 2027, but it will return as part of an alternating contract with Spa-Francorchamps, meaning it will host races in 2028, 2030 and 2032.

Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya GP - Sunday

67 Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

The Ferrari team gathered at the podium ceremony

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Fans

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Flavio Briatore, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Flavio Briatore, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Drivers' parade

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team with Novak Djokovic

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team with Novak Djokovic

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Novak Djokovic arrives in the paddock.

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Sunday

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