Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll discover outcome after Aston Martin horror show

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will compete in the Miami Sprint despite Aston Martin hitting rock bottom this year in qualifying for the event.

The Silverstone-based squad has suffered one ignominy after another following the introduction of new rules and the partnership with new power unit supplier Honda, whose system has been beset by issues.

At the Miami International Autodrome, Lance Stroll failed to set a time after suffering a severe lock-up at one point on his only hot lap.

Team-mate Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, set a time of 1:41.311s, almost 13 seconds adrift of the leading SQ1 time posted by Lando Norris in his McLaren. The F1 champion went on to claim pole position.

Alonso's lap was a staggering 6.4s adrift of the required 107% time, and so was not classified on the provisional sprint qualifying classification timing sheet, leaving him at the mercy of the stewards.

However, as both drivers were quick enough in the single 90-minute practice session earlier in the day, even though Stroll was the slowest, 3.649s adrift of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, they have been granted dispensation to take part in Saturday's sprint.

The stewards confirmed that “in accordance with Article B2.2.3b of the FIA F1 Regulations, the Stewards grant permission” for both cars to start the race “as the driver[s] set satisfactory times in practice at this competition.”