Fernando Alonso left baffled by 'unlucky' crash that 'came from nowhere' during Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso was left confused by his Australian Grand Prix crash that came "from nowhere", with the Aston Martin man saying the cause would need to be investigated.

In drying conditions, as drivers were beginning to push the track limits by using the slippery painted kerbs ever more, Alonso became the fourth driver to retire from the F1 season-opener in Melbourne.

On Lap 34, the Aston Martin veteran pushed hard up against the gravel at Turn 7 after carrying significant speed through the right-hander of Turn 6. Appearing to lose traction on the kerb, Alonso’s car spun 180 degrees before making heavy contact with the wall, with the Safety Car later called upon.

Giving his assessment of the incident, Alonso said: “I think the incident came from nowhere, to be honest. I was not wider than any other lap, I just found a lot of gravel stuck in the middle of the circuit and I spun.

‘It came from nowhere’ – Alonso on his race-ending crash at Albert Park

“A very costly incident but I don’t really know what to do differently.

“First, I will try to analyse it a little bit better. I think it is a very unlucky incident. I was 10th, (Kimi) Antonelli 11th – I didn’t know if I could keep the point in our pocket but hopefully, we get better. We have another chance in five days, which is a good thing.”

Alonso had started the Australian Grand Prix one place ahead of team mate Lance Stroll, who took the chequered flag in sixth.

Following a less-than-impressive turn of pace during pre-season testing, there had been concerns that Aston Martin could be cut adrift from Williams, Alpine and Racing Bulls in the midfield battle.

Gaining confidence from the pace shown in various conditions across the Albert Park weekend, Alonso added: “The pace was similar to the midfield. I was fighting with (Pierre) Gasly – Antonelli was clearly faster but it was not easy to overtake us, so all in all, I think we are in the mix.

“Some weekends will be a bit better, some will be more difficult but we will try to improve.”