Fernando Alonso has expressed deep relief after Honda’s rigorous testing at their Sakura facility successfully eliminated the vibration problems that plagued Aston Martin’s power unit since the season opener in Australia. The Japanese Grand Prix marked a turning point, with Alonso finishing the race despite the severe issues that team principal Adrian Newey warned could have caused “permanent nerve damage” to both Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll. The extensive work between Suzuka and Miami, involving a dedicated chassis sent back to Honda’s base, has now paid off, allowing Aston Martin to move forward without the crippling vibrations.
Alonso told the media, “Gone, I would say gone,” when asked about the vibration issue’s status. He emphasized the importance of fully understanding and addressing each technical problem before pushing for performance gains. “As long as you don't understand the problems and you don't fix one at a time, it is difficult to gain trust in the next steps of performance,” he said. Confirming that the vibrations measured in Sakura matched those on-track in Miami, Alonso added that maintaining composure will be crucial as the team navigates the coming months. “It is going to be an exercise of staying calm together.”
The Aston Martin driver also shed light on the team’s choice not to introduce any performance upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix, confirming it was a strategic decision from the start of the season. Alonso explained, “It was the plan, that's what we thought before Australia, so in this first part of the year, between the reliability issues and the performance restrictions we have, there is no point in bringing two, three, four-tenths to the track because you cannot capitalise on that in terms of results, because there is one second to the car in front.” He highlighted the need to balance on-track progress with budget constraints, describing it as “a cost cap strategy as well.”
With the vibration problem behind them and a clear plan in place, Aston Martin aims to steadily close the gap to the leaders as the Formula 1 season unfolds. The team’s focus now shifts to consistent performance and measured upgrades, setting the stage for a more competitive campaign ahead.
