Aston Martin Faces Nerve Damage Concerns as Newey Admits Limited Running for Alonso and Stroll

Aston Martin is bracing for a challenging start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, with concerns mounting over the physical toll the car’s vibrations are taking on drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Team principal Adrian Newey has revealed that both drivers face a risk of permanent nerve damage if they attempt to complete a full race distance at the Australian Grand Prix.

Vibrations Causing Driver Discomfort and Potential Long-Term Harm

The issue stems from vibrations within the Honda power unit of the AMR26, which are being transmitted through the steering wheel and into the drivers’ hands. These vibrations are not only causing discomfort but also raise the specter of lasting nerve damage.

“The vibration into the chassis is causing a few reliability problems: mirrors falling off, tail lights falling off, all that sort of thing, which we are having to address,” Newey explained to media, including RacingNews365. “But the much more significant problem is that vibration is transmitted ultimately into the driver’s fingers.”

Restricted Running Expected in Melbourne

Aston Martin is preparing to significantly limit Alonso and Stroll’s running during the Australian Grand Prix. Newey indicated that neither driver will be able to finish the race without risking their health.

“Fernando is of the feeling that he can’t do more than 25 laps consecutively before he will risk permanent nerve damage into his hands,” Newey stated. “Lance is of the opinion that he can’t do more than 15 laps before that threshold.”

The team will continue with “extremely heavily restricted” running until Honda and Aston Martin can resolve the underlying issue.

Turbulent Pre-Season and Honda Collaboration Challenges

These concerns follow a challenging pre-season for Aston Martin, marked by delays in the arrival of their new Adrian Newey-designed, Honda-powered car and struggles to accumulate sufficient mileage during testing in Barcelona and Bahrain. Formula1.com reported that the car first hit the track with reliability and performance concerns.

The fledgling partnership between Aston Martin and Honda appears to be facing early hurdles, as the team works to address both mechanical and safety issues.

Alonso Remains Optimistic Despite Challenges

Despite the setbacks, Fernando Alonso remains confident in the long-term potential of the Aston Martin project. In February 2026, Alonso expressed his belief that Newey’s technical leadership will ultimately deliver the fastest car on the grid, stating, “Melbourne’s car is going to be very different,” according to ESPN.

But, he acknowledged that Honda’s development may be a limiting factor this year.