Aston Martin Australian GP compromised by vibration issues

The Aston Martin Formula One Team has revealed that it will most likely have to retire early from the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

In one of the most explosive early revelations of recent years, team principal and designer Adrian Newey broke the news to the assembled press at Albert Park.

In previous press releases post Bahrain testing, it had only been revealed that the team were behind schedule after completing considerably fewer laps than opposition teams.

But now the problem is much worse than previously thought, with Newey saying that it was unlikely that Fernando Alonso could complete more than 25 laps and Lance Stroll 15 laps before the vibrations would begin to cause considerable nerve damage through the hands and fingers.

Adrian Newey has suggested it’s unlikely that either of the team’s cars will be able to finish Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to concerns that vibrations could cause serious damage to their drivers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/xLISuNATi4

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 5, 2026

“That vibration into the chassis is causing a few reliability problems, mirrors falling off, taillights falling off – all that sort of thing, which we are having to address,” commented Newey.

“But the much more significant problem is that the vibration is transmitted ultimately into the driver’s fingers.

“So Fernando [Alonso] is of the feeling that he can’t do more than 25 laps consecutively before he will risk permanent nerve damage to his hands. Lance [Stroll] is of the opinion that he can’t do more than 15 laps before that threshold.”

The Aston Martin F1 team also sent out a press release, confirming the extent of the issues affecting the car.

An update from Adrian Newey and Koji Watanabe. #AusGP pic.twitter.com/jdqj0ujfUs

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 5, 2026

The Australian Grand Prix begins on Friday with the first of two practice sessions starting at 01.30GMT with Sunday’s race in the early hours at 04.00GMT.

SHOP THE ASTON MARTIN F1 RANGE HERE.

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER £35 WITH CODE FREESHIP