---
title: "Alonso’s McLaren-Renault Makes It 6 Laps Into the Pre-Season Test"
description: "The orange McLaren found itself beached soon after taking to the tarmac for the first time in 2018."
date: "2018-02-26"
modified: "2018-02-26"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18784/alonsos-mclaren-renault-makes-it-6-laps-into-the-pre-season-test"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Barcelona"
  - "Crash"
  - "Fernando Alonso"
  - "Formula 1"
  - "mclaren"
  - "racing"
---

# Alonso’s McLaren-Renault Makes It 6 Laps Into the Pre-Season Test

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/02/screen-shot-2018-02-26-at-7-34-56-am.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

[Fernando Alonso](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/10088/fernando-alonso-will-be-remembered-for-all-the-wrong-reasons>) and McLaren-Renault aren't having the start to the [Formula 1 season](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18532/the-casual-fans-2018-formula-1-spotters-guide>) they're hoping for, as a loose wheel nut caused the Spaniard's first track outing of the year to last a mere six laps. The early off-road excursion also triggered the season's first red flag, which happened less than one hour into the session.

The video of the accident shows Alonso tackling the chicane at what appears to be a fairly [strong pace](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18780/ecclestone-calls-on-liberty-media-to-make-formula-1-electric-by-2021>), but soon thereafter, the rear end of the MCL33 begins to break away as Alonso sets up for the next right-hander. Suddenly it all goes wrong, the right rear wheel goes up in the air, he loses control and quickly does a 180-degree spin into the gravel trap.

According to [Formula 1](<https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2018/2/watch--early-spin-halts-alonso--mclaren.html>), Alonso did not suffer any injuries, but the car's damage was still being assessed as the first test session of the day rushed to a close.

https://youtube.com/embed/hDixL-EYE0s

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)