Fernando Alonso delivered a much-needed boost for Aston Martin at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, finishing eighth and scoring the team's first points since August. Starting from 12th on the grid at Sepang, Alonso faced an uphill battle, but a chaotic Sunday filled with rain delays and multiple safety car periods played into the team's hands. Despite making a questionable early call to start on slick mediums when the track was still damp, Alonso managed to turn things around and secure a valuable result.

More F1 news: Hamilton's Masterclass Steals the Show in Chaotic Malaysia Race

The race conditions were crucial to Aston Martin's opportunity. When it became clear that slicks were the wrong choice, Alonso's teammate Lance Stroll switched to intermediates early, but Fernando stayed out and essentially gambled on a safety car arriving to allow a cheap tyre change. That gamble paid off spectacularly when multiple incidents, including a George Russell retirement and a Lando Norris mishap, worked in his favour. He even managed to pass former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton while both drivers struggled for grip on the drying track.

More F1 news: Verstappen Crushes Malaysia Chaos to Claim First 2026 Win

Alonso acknowledged the chaos helped his cause but stressed the importance of executing well when opportunities arise. He highlighted that Aston Martin showed improved competitiveness throughout the weekend, with both cars reaching Q2 and fighting in the midfield. Looking ahead to Singapore, he expressed cautious optimism while accepting that the team still lacks consistent pace across the season. Team principal Mike Krack admitted they got the tyre strategy wrong but credited the team for capitalising when fortune smiled upon them at Sepang.

More F1 news: Hadjar Frustrated Despite Red Bull's Historic Win, Battery Drama Cost Him Podium

For Aston Martin, this result provided a crucial morale boost during a difficult campaign. The team has struggled with regular retirements and poor form, making results like this even more valuable. Krack emphasised the need to understand why they were more competitive at Sepang compared to recent races in Madrid and Baku, while remaining grounded about not expecting this level of performance every weekend. With the team fighting tooth and nail for every point, Alonso's P8 finish proved that when the stars align, Aston Martin can still deliver.

Shop the collection: Lando Norris merch  •  Lewis Hamilton merch  •  George Russell merch  •  Fernando Alonso merch  •  Lance Stroll merch  •  McLaren merch  •  Aston Martin merch  •  Scuderia Ferrari merch  •  Mercedes-AMG merch