Aston Martin endured a miserable qualifying for the United States Grand Prix as both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll failed to make Q2 at the Circuit of the Americas. The Silverstone-based outfit had fought brake issues on Stroll's car in the weekend's sole practice session that limited the Canadian to only two meaningful laps, with Alonso's car also confined to the garage for a short period in order for checks to be completed. But it was outright performance that let the team down in qualifying, with Alonso only 17th fastest and Stroll 19th. The result marks the first time two-time F1 World Champion Alonso has failed to reach the top 10 in qualifying this season, whilst teammate Stroll was consigned to a fifth Q1 elimination in a row. It means the team faces further pain in its quest to remain in the top four of the Constructors' standings as McLaren bears down with improved performance race on race. A new floor upgrade had presented Aston Martin with hope of a return to pre-summer break form but it has been forced to settle with a lacklustre showing instead. Redemption can be taken in Sprint Shootout and the Sprint itself, though with cars locked into parc fermé it remains to be seen what can be done to turn fortunes around on Saturday.
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