A Aston Martin vai restringir severamente a participação dos seus pilotos no Grande Prémio da Austrália de 2026 devido a intensas vibrações no chassis provenientes da sua unidade de potência Honda, que arriscam danos nervosos permanentes. Fernando Alonso enfrenta um limite de 25 voltas e Lance Stroll 15 voltas, com a equipa a prever abandonos precoces apesar das contramedidas implementadas após problemas na pré-temporada.
A Aston Martin revelou grandes desafios antes da ronda de abertura da temporada de Fórmula 1 de 2026 no Albert Park, na Austrália, durante uma conferência de imprensa a 5 de março em Melbourne. O diretor da equipa Adrian Newey detalhou vibrações inesperadas da unidade de potência Honda, que danificaram componentes relacionados com a bateria durante os testes de pré-temporada no Bahrein, fazendo com que a equipa perdesse uma quilometragem significativa e chegasse como uma das formações mais fracas da grelha de partida. 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.
