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Alonso after brake issues: “We will try our best until the last lap”

Fernando Alonso’s debut in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona has been dealt a hard blow after a major braking problem sent his United Autosports Ligier to the garage.

Fernando Alonso, United Autosports

Fernando Alonso, United Autosports

Art Fleischmann

#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2, P:  Fernando Alonso
#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2: Phil Hanson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso
#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2: Phil Hanson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso
Car of #23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2: Phil Hanson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso
#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2: Fernando Alonso
#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2, P: Phil Hanson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, pit stop

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. We lost four laps there with some damage on the car.

“But my stints were good. We had a little bit of pace now at night, the car felt much better. Then we had the safety car and managed to recover two laps. So we were in contention for the top five probably. We were P6 already.

“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.

“So that’s a shame but we will try our best until the last lap and thanks for being here.”

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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