Alonso, an ordeal in China too
When Adrian Newey was introduced at Aston Martin, amid Fernando Alonso‘s happiness and Lawrence Stroll’s pride, no one could have imagined that a year and a half later Aston Martin would have recorded zero points and four retirements in the first two races of the 2026 World Championship. Yet, it is the reality. And it is a reality that goes beyond the cold numbers, which alone tell of an epic embarrassment, because in China the two-time world champion often drove with his hands off the steering wheel to avoid the vibrations of the so far disastrous Honda power unit.
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A real shame for the Spaniard, who at 44 years old waited confidently for the 2026 opportunity, only to find himself with an almost laughable package. And in two weeks Suzuka arrives, Honda’s home, where Alonso did not let himself be intimidated, and with the team radio “GP2 engine” he thrashed the Japanese on global television. Eleven years later, the scenario repeats itself.
Alonso’s words
“I retired because today the engine vibrations were excessive, starting from the 20th lap I could no longer feel my hands or my feet“, he admitted to Dazn. “Once we were lapped and the Safety Car made us start last with worn tires, continuing until the end of the race didn’t make much sense, losing sensitivity in the limbs. The vibrations are always there: for ten seconds they are fine, but after 40 minutes you start to lose some sensitivity“.
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“The plans for Suzuka? Ask the team. Mine are clear: go home, rest, train hard, prepare for Japan in the right way“. Then, the first warning of the year to the Japanese: “Let’s hope that Honda does its duty and that we can see some progress in Japan“.
