Fernando Alonso Doubts Aston Martin's Ability to Finish Chinese GP Despite Honda Optimism
Fernando Alonso Doubts Aston Martin's Ability to Finish Chinese GP Despite Honda Optimism
Fernando Alonso has expressed caution over Aston Martin’s ability to complete the full race distance at the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, even as engine partner Honda voices growing confidence in recent improvements.
The Spaniard, speaking ahead of the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Shanghai, admitted that while the team has made progress since the chaotic Australian Grand Prix, he remains far from certain they can finish Sunday’s 58-lap race.
“That would be optimistic, but we can try,” Alonso told Sky Sports F1. “We are still short on parts, and China is only this week. But for Bahrain, apparently there will be more batteries and stock, so for China we can take more risk on Sunday.”
The concerns stem from Aston Martin’s disastrous start to the season, where both Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll suffered from extreme vibrations linked to structural and mechanical issues. Team principal Adrian Newey shockingly revealed last week that drivers risked permanent nerve damage if they continued to race under those conditions.
In Australia, Stroll managed 43 of the 58 laps before retiring, while Alonso lasted just 21 laps. The root causes include a shortage of spare parts and unresolved vibration issues that have plagued the AM-RB26 chassis since pre-season testing.
Honda’s Confidence Despite Skepticism
Despite the on-track struggles, Honda — returning this season as a full engine manufacturer after dominant years with Red Bull — believes significant progress has been made.
Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s trackside F1 general manager, highlighted the collaborative effort between the Japanese manufacturer and Aston Martin: “After Bahrain testing, Aston Martin and Honda worked together very hard to find a solution. The guys worked long hours to find a countermeasure.”
According to Orihara, the improvements showed positive results: “From a vibration viewpoint, we are confident to cover the full mileage in the race, so that is a big improvement from Aston Martin and Honda. That is a very key point for Aston Martin.”
However, the team remains at a disadvantage. Only around 30% of the original Honda F1 engineering team is currently supporting Aston Martin — a fact Newey only discovered in November 2025. Additionally, as the sole Honda-powered team in 2026, data collection is limited compared to previous years when multiple teams used their power units.
Steps Forward Amid Challenges
Alonso acknowledged that the team is moving in the right direction. “We need to take the positives and move forwards,” he said. “Everyone is determined to change the situation and working really hard. Compared to Bahrain or Thursday in Australia, we are in a better position now.”
He pointed to successful completion of formation laps, pit stops, and starts during the Australian race weekend as small but significant milestones — actions most teams take for granted but were unachievable for Aston Martin in Bahrain.
With more components expected ahead of the Bahrain race, the team hopes to increase operational risks gradually. For now, the primary goal remains reliability over performance.
Chinese GP Sprint Weekend Schedule
Formula 1 heads to Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1:
- Friday, March 13: Chinese GP Practice at 3:30am GMT, Sprint Qualifying at 7:30am GMT
- Saturday, March 14: Chinese GP Sprint at 3:00am GMT, Qualifying at 7:00am GMT
- Sunday, March 15: The Chinese Grand Prix at 7:00am GMT
As the sport’s attention turns to Shanghai, all eyes will be on whether Aston Martin — and Honda — can turn technical confidence into actual race finishes.