Fernando Alonso bemoans 'mandatory' tradition in strange F1 interview

Fernando Alonso has bemoaned the "mandatory" F1 media interviews after Friday practice following running at the Australian Grand Prix.

Alonso, who is starting a record-extending 22nd F1 season, took an encouraging eighth in FP1 for Aston Martin following an anonymous pre-season test in Bahrain, before slipping to 13th in the afternoon session.

Unless for medical reasons, drivers are required to speak to media on Thursday previewing the weekend, on Friday following practice and after both qualifying and the grand prix. 

After stepping out of the AMR25, Alonso answered questions in very typical Alonso-fashion, keeping his cards extremely close to his chest.

"Nothing, and if I learnt something, I will not tell you," Alonso said when asked for his thoughts after finishing an encouraging eighth in FP1.

"We come here because it is mandatory, but there is nothing really to talk about because we've just jumped out of the car.

"And as usual, it will be 24 Fridays like this and you can ask anything and I will not answer.

"I need to review everything with my team and privately discuss what we did today, but there were no major problems.

"The car goes, the engine is alive the brakes are okay and the gearbox is changing gears up and down, so it is good."