Quick Read
- Fernando Alonso is skipping Thursday’s media day at the Japanese Grand Prix following the birth of his first child.
- Reserve driver Jak Crawford will take over Alonso’s car for the FP1 rookie session at the Suzuka Circuit.
- Aston Martin is struggling with severe engine vibrations and currently sits last in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship.
SUZUKA (Azat TV) – Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso will miss Thursday’s media activities at the Japanese Grand Prix, the team confirmed on Wednesday, citing personal family reasons. The two-time world champion is traveling to Suzuka late following the birth of his first child, an event widely expected to coincide with the race weekend.
Technical Struggles Compound Aston Martin’s Difficult Season
The Spaniard’s delayed arrival comes as Aston Martin faces a critical juncture in its 2026 campaign. The team currently sits at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship, having failed to score a point in the opening two rounds in Australia and China. The partnership with Honda has been marred by severe engine vibrations that have resulted in battery failures and physical discomfort for both Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll.
According to BBC Sport, the vibrations are so intense that team principal Adrian Newey previously warned they posed a risk of permanent nerve damage to drivers within just 25 laps. While Honda engineers have worked to isolate the hybrid system’s battery from these oscillations, the team remains behind in development, and the AMR26 chassis has struggled to match the pace of the field.
Rookie Opportunity Amidst Team Turmoil
In Alonso’s absence, Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford will step into the cockpit for the first free practice session (FP1). This arrangement serves as one of the team’s four mandatory rookie practice sessions for the season, providing the young driver with vital track time while Alonso manages his personal milestone.
Beyond the immediate reliability concerns, the team is navigating a period of significant structural transition. Reports indicate that Adrian Newey is expected to step down as team principal, with former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley heavily linked to the role following his departure from Audi. These leadership changes arrive as the team attempts to rectify a late-started car design that has left them fighting for relevance in a highly competitive grid.
Honda’s Home Circuit Under Scrutiny
The Japanese Grand Prix is a landmark event for the team’s power unit supplier, Honda, which considers Suzuka its spiritual home. Honda’s trackside general manager, Shintaro Orihara, noted that while some progress was made in China regarding battery reliability, the Suzuka circuit presents a unique challenge for the vibration-plagued package. Alonso is expected to rejoin the team on Friday, assuming his place for the remainder of the race weekend as the squad attempts to salvage a difficult start to their factory partnership.
The combination of a high-pressure home race for Honda and the ongoing, potentially career-threatening technical flaws in the AMR26 creates a precarious environment for Alonso’s return, testing the team’s ability to stabilize their operations during a period of significant personal and professional upheaval.