As the 2026 F1 season prepares to begin with the Australian GP, Aston Martin and Honda arrive in Melbourne facing a number of technical challenges. During pre-season running, the team encountered issues linked to engine vibrations and reliability, raising concerns about both performance and driver comfort.
Speaking to the media ahead of the race weekend, Fernando Alonso addressed the situation candidly, explaining how the vibration problem affects both the car and the driver.
Vibrations affecting car and driver
Alonso confirmed that the vibrations have become noticeable during longer stints in the cockpit, impacting both the vehicle’s components and the drivers themselves. “For us, it’s just vibrating and everything, but it’s not only for us,” he said. “I think the car is struggling a little bit, so that’s why we have some issues, some reliability problems that make our days a little bit short.”
“The vibrations coming from the engine are hurting a little bit. The components in the car and the drivers, we feel them. We feel our body with this frequency of the vibrations that you feel after 20 or 25 minutes.
“A little bit numb, I think, with the work on your hands or your feet or whatever. It has been a challenge, but every day in Sakura they try to find solutions. And I think since Bahrain, there were a couple of tests done, and some of the solutions are implemented on the car now.”
“So, I’m curious to see what tomorrow we can improve and we can feel.”
While the sensation is uncomfortable, Alonso emphasised that it does not prevent him from controlling the car during a stint.
“No, not painful. Not difficult to control the car,” he admitted when asked to elaborate on the sensation. “I mean, the adrenaline is just way higher than any pain. If we were fighting for the win, we can do three hours in the car. Let’s be clear.”
“So, I think that overcomes anything when you are in the car. You don’t have a limitation that will stop you feeling the power of what you are doing. But definitely, it is something that is unusual.”
“It shouldn’t be there. And we don’t know the consequences either if you keep driving like that for months. So, a solution has to be implemented.”
“And as I said, everyone is trying every day in Japan to fix the things. So, we are here to help as well.”
Confidence in Honda despite past difficulties
Questions also turned to Aston Martin’s, as well as Honda’s ability to resolve the issue before the Australian GP, particularly given Alonso’s past experiences with the manufacturer earlier in his F1 career. Despite those memories, the two-time world champion expressed full confidence that Honda can resolve the problem.
“Well, I think I have 100% faith that Honda will fix the problems because they did it already in the past. And they will always be competitive and a top engine in Formula 1,” he stated. “As you said, the thing is probably the time that is required. And it is not matching with my time in my career. And that is something that remains to be seen.”
“I don’t have, again, a crystal ball to know exactly when problems will be fixed. So, yeah, we will go race by race and month by month. And let’s see. Hopefully, we can see improvements in the short term.”
“And that will help my decision as well for next year.”
Uncertainty over race weekend approach
With limited running during testing due to reliability concerns, Alonso acknowledged that Aston Martin, alongside Honda will need to evaluate its approach carefully throughout the F1 Australian GP weekend.
“We’ll see. I think, as I said, in a way, deep inside I have the feeling that problems will be fixed every time I jump in the car. And I really hope that everything will be better,” he said. “After the last few weeks in Japan, I think, you know, for us it’s important to test the car tomorrow, on Friday.”
“And then maybe decide, you know, Friday night, Saturday night, let’s see how things go. As I said, you know, I have a feeling on me that it could be all fine. And we can do a normal weekend. But let’s see.”
Optimism inside Aston Martin
From the outside, Aston Martin’s current situation may appear worrying. However, Alonso believes the internal picture is more controlled than many observers assume.
“I think it looks maybe more difficult on the outside, which is understandable as well. You know, high expectations for Aston [Martin] and I agree on that,” he stated. “But yeah, I think we know what we are doing, we know the limitations on the car as well.”
“As Adrian [Newey] probably said this morning, we started a little bit behind when he joined the team. And he changed a little bit the philosophy of the car. Now we already expected that the launch car was a little bit down. And also maybe the first couple of races.”
“I think he knows what to do in the car and what to fix in the car and what areas are underperforming and some others that they have more potential So it seems that we have a clear direction on the chassis and I’m not concerned about that.”
