Alonso missing as only driver during team presentations in Miami

The big absentee at the Miami Opening Party was Fernando Alonso. The team's driver was the only driver missing from the podium, and that immediately raises a number of questions.

Prior to the race weekend in Miami, the drivers and team bosses gathered on the podium in Miami on Thursday. Here all drivers and team owners were introduced to the cheers of the fans. They were given time to briefly address the audience and then move on to the next team. After the team presentations there were live performances.

The big absentee during all this, however, was Alonso. On behalf of Alpine, Otmar Szafnauer (team principal), Laurent Rossi (CEO) and Esteban Ocon stepped onto the podium. Nothing was said about the absence of the Spaniard, who posted several times online in the run-up to this GP that he was looking forward to this race.

Should Alonso not be able to compete for any reason, Oscar Piastri might have a chance to do so. The Australian is on the sidelines as the French racing stable's reserve driver after his F2 title and no one has driven in Miami yet. As a rookie, that would possibly make a debut easier for him.