Aston Martin F1 boss says vibration issues risk nerve damage to drivers

Aston Martin Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will not finish the season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to health concerns linked to a vibration problem with their car, team boss Adrian Newey said on Thursday.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso negotiates a bend during practice for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, Oct. 5, 2025 (Photo by Qian Jun/Xinhua)

Speaking on the eve of the 2026 Formula One season beginning at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit on Friday, Newey told reporters that Aston Martin's cars would be very heavily restricted until the vibrations caused by the team's Honda-supplied engines are resolved.

He said that vibration from the power unit into the chassis of the Aston Martin has caused reliability problems, including mirrors and tail lights falling off the car.

"That vibration is transmitted ultimately into the driver's fingers. Fernando is of the feeling that he can't do more than 25 laps consecutively before he will risk permanent nerve damage into his hands. Lance is of the opinion that he can't do more than 15 laps before that threshold," he said.

The Australian Grand Prix will run for 58 laps around the 5.2 km circuit on Sunday.

Newey, one of the most successful Formula One designers in history who joined Aston Martin from Red Bull Racing in 2025, said that he has 100 percent faith that Honda will resolve the power unit issue.

Aston Martin completed fewer laps than any other team in pre-season testing.