Fernando Alonso doubts Aston Martin can finish Chinese Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso admits it would be highly optimistic to expect Aston Martin to finish the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix amid an ongoing shortage of parts and severe car vibration issues.
The veteran driver retired after just 21 laps during the season-opening race in Australia.
Team-mate Lance Stroll managed 43 laps before stopping, despite earlier warnings regarding the physical dangers of driving the car.
Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey had previously revealed that the drivers risked permanent nerve damage due to violent vibrations from the chassis.
Focusing on positives despite significant limitations
Despite the alarming start to the 2026 campaign, the Spanish racer is trying to remain upbeat about the team’s trajectory.
“We need to take the positives and move forwards. Everyone is determined to change the situation and working really hard.”
The double world champion noted that the Australian weekend provided valuable data, allowing the Silverstone-based outfit to complete basic procedures that were impossible during Bahrain testing.
When pressed on his chances of seeing the chequered flag in Shanghai this weekend, the former Ferrari star offered a characteristically blunt assessment.
“That will be optimistic but we can try. Obviously, we are still short on parts and China is only this week.”
Engine supplier Honda retains confidence
Aston Martin’s struggles come amid a major transition to becoming the exclusive factory partner for Japanese manufacturer Honda.
The power unit supplier enjoyed tremendous recent success powering Max Verstappen to multiple titles, but Newey noted that only a fraction of their original engineering staff remains on this new project.
Despite completing fewer pre-season testing laps than any other competitor on the grid, Honda’s management remains hopeful about their technical progression.
“From a Honda point of view, Australia was definitely a very important point to check the improvement of battery reliability,” said Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s trackside general manager.
With more battery stock reportedly arriving soon, the British team will hope to take further risks as they navigate this exceptionally turbulent start to the new era of Formula 1 regulations.
