32-win F1 driver leaves Martin Brundle in disbelief at Chinese Grand Prix, ‘where did that come from?’

The Chinese Grand Prix will present a new challenge for the drivers for round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The smoother track surface and drier weather conditions are certain to provide a different test for the drivers than what they faced at the Australian Grand Prix. However, the result could very well be the same.

McLaren look on another level compared to the rest of the field. Lando Norris claimed victory in Melbourne from Max Verstappen in what could have been a 1-2 finish with Oscar Piastri had he not spun in the rain at turn 13.

Norris leads the championship – the first driver to do so other than Verstappen in 63 races – going into the Chinese Grand Prix. He and McLaren are clear favourites for victory again after showing terrifying pace in Melbourne.

The Woking-based outfit were 15 seconds ahead of Verstappen at one stage in the dry conditions. McLaren continued that momentum into Sprint qualifying in Shanghai, with Piastri going top by over half a second on his first run in SQ1.

While the battle for first seems closed off for anyone other than McLaren, the competition for second is set to be tight. But one driver came ‘out of nowhere’ to leave Martin Brundle stunned.

Martin Brundle left stunned by Fernando Alonso’s ‘cracking’ lap in SQ1 at the Chinese Grand Prix

As Piastri went half a second clear with his first lap in SQ1 with a 1:37:7, it was Fernando Alonso who provided the closest challenge. The Spaniard went second quickest with his first outing – albeit he was still just under three tenths behind the McLaren.

Nevertheless, it was a solid effort from the 32-win F1 driver considering Aston Martin are not as competitive in 2025 compared to the top four teams.

The Silverstone-based outfit have regressed since their brilliant 2023 campaign where Alonso grabbed P4 in the drivers’ championship. After pre-season testing, Ted Kravitz had Aston Martin ninth-quickest on track – highlighting their drop in performance.

Alonso was caught out in Melbourne in the tricky conditions, hitting the wall after a spin at turn six. His teammate Lance Stroll kept his AMR25 out of the barriers and finished an impressive sixth.

The Canadian got through to SQ3 in Shanghai while Alonso missed out, but the latter’s time in SQ1 showed encouraging signs for Aston Martin. Speaking on Sky Sports, Brundle was taken aback by the Sspaniard’s lap.

“It shows you how close Formula 1 is at the moment doesn’t it? Fernando Alonso, out of nowhere goes P2. Where did that come from? Cracking lap there.”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Have Aston Martin made an error by focusing on their 2026 car?

Alonso congratulated Stroll for his ‘excellent’ performance in Melbourne. While his P6 was slightly fortuitous given the weather and numerous crashes around him. the AMR25 did have solid performance.

Aston Martin are focusing on their 2026 car with Adrian Newey at the helm. The legendary designer is preparing for the new technical regulations with Honda set to come on board as the team’s new power unit supplier.

Andy Cowell says Newey’s main focus is 2026 as Aston Martin look to have abandoned development on their 2025 challenger.

But given Stroll’s performance in Melbourne and the Canadian and Alonso’s potential in Shanghai, they may have made an error. The team might want to focus on 2025 with regular points seemingly possible.