The #23 car which Alonso is sharing with Lando Norris and Phil Hanson rose as high as sixth but a puncture while Hanson was at the wheel and a brake problem during Alonso’s second stint have combined to leave them 26 laps off the lead.
The two-time Formula 1 World Champion addressed his fans on Instagram after the incident, stating: “Unlucky situation with Phil; we had a puncture before I jump in the car.
“And we had now a brakes issue and we have to put the car in the garage.
The mechanics are doing their best, we will hopefully go back to the track soon but obviously the positions are compromised, we are losing a lot of laps.
Norris’ lap times following the lengthy repairs were healthy and comparable to that of his United Autosport teammates in the #32 car which continued to run in the top seven approaching half-distance.
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