Fernando Alonso has never been shy about speaking his mind, and the two-time world champion had plenty to say after another bruising weekend for Aston Martin at the United States Grand Prix.

The Spaniard’s race in Austin unravelled early when Williams driver Alex Albon made contact with his car while attempting a move into Turn 11. The resulting floor damage reportedly cost Alonso at least half a second per lap, leaving him to limp home in 16th place rather than fight for potentially valuable championship points.

Alonso was in no mood to sugar-coat the incident.

“That Albon forgot that the corner was there and that he had to turn left,” he quipped when asked about the collision.

But the Spaniard did not stop at Albon. In a broader swipe at the drivers struggling at the rear of the field, Alonso added: “The bottom third of the grid, the quality of the drivers is very low at the moment.”

It was a pointed assessment from a driver who knows what it takes to compete at the front, even if his current machinery rarely gives him the opportunity.

Teammate Lance Stroll finished 15th, completing another pointless weekend for Aston Martin. The team remains 10th in the constructors’ championship, five points behind Williams with five races left.

That gap might look modest, but ninth place brings a financial incentive through Formula 1’s championship prize-money structure.

Aston Martin’s next chance to respond comes in Mexico City, where Alonso will hope the team’s performance — rather than someone else’s driving — determines its fortunes.