Fernando Alonso will start the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from the pit lane after Aston Martin opted to change power unit components in the back of his AMR26.
The two-time grand prix winner qualified P22 and last for his home F1 race, and was outqualified by Lance Stroll in a grand prix grid-setting session for the first time since the British Grand Prix in 2024, ending a 42-round run.
As a result of that, the Spanish driver essentially had a free hit to accrue grid penalties from the back of the field, making the late change to the starting grid not unexpected.
Specifically, Aston Martin has swapped in a fourth MGU-K, energy store, and control electronics to Alonso's car, with only three of each permitted across the campaign.
The rest of the grid currently remains unchanged from qualifying.
NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.
Full starting grid for 2026 F1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| POLE | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2. | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 3. | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 4. | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 5. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 6. | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull |
| 7. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 8. | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 9. | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi |
| 10. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 11. | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls |
| 12. | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi |
| 13. | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 14. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 15. | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 16. | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 17. | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18. | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 19. | Sergio Perez | Cadillac |
| 20. | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac |
| 21. | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| PIT LANE | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
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