Aston Martin restringirá severamente el kilometraje de sus pilotos en el Gran Premio de Australia de 2026 debido a intensas vibraciones en el chasis provenientes de su unidad de potencia Honda, que arriesgan daños nerviosos permanentes. Fernando Alonso afronta un límite de 25 vueltas y Lance Stroll de 15, con el equipo esperando retiros anticipados a pesar de las contramedidas implementadas tras problemas de pretemporada.
Aston Martin reveló grandes desafíos de cara a la apertura de la temporada 2026 de Fórmula 1 en el Albert Park de Australia durante una conferencia de prensa el 5 de marzo en Melbourne. El director del equipo, Adrian Newey, detalló vibraciones inesperadas de la unidad de potencia Honda, que dañaron componentes relacionados con la batería durante las pruebas de pretemporada en Baréin, causando que el equipo perdiera un kilometraje significativo y llegara como uno de los equipos más débiles de la parrilla. Dyno-tested solutions have reduced vibrations to the battery, but the stiff carbon chassis acts as a 'receiver' for amplified oscillations from the engine and possibly the MGU-K, leading to reliability failures like mirrors and taillights detaching. Critically, the vibrations transmit to drivers' hands and feet, causing numbness and pain. Alonso described feeling 'a little bit numb' after 20-25 minutes and likened exceeding limits to risking permanent nerve damage, though he added defiantly: 'If we were fighting for the win, we can do three hours in the car. The adrenaline is just way higher than any pain.' Stroll compared it to 'electrocution in a chair' and set his limit at 15 laps. Newey estimated the chassis as the grid's fifth-fastest, about 0.75 to one second off leaders, but low engine power worsens energy management under new regulations. Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe confirmed the 'unexpected' issue prevents maximum RPM operation, with the root cause still unidentified despite Japan-tested countermeasures. The team plans heavy restrictions for the 58-lap race to prioritize safety and data, anticipating both cars will retire early. Despite setbacks, Alonso voiced '100% faith' in Honda—citing its Red Bull successes—and optimism for improvements since Bahrain. Newey highlighted the team's aggressive development and 'tremendous potential.' In a lighter moment at the FIA press conference, reserve driver Valtteri Bottas joked that Alonso, Stroll, and George Russell were his championship picks, ribbing Aston Martin's plight.
