Fernando Alonso has reportedly voiced concerns that vibrations in his Aston Martin F1 car could cause nerve damage. The revelation has racing enthusiasts anxiously following developments, worried that it could affect the team’s career and performance. The issue was highlighted after team principal Adrian Newey highlighted its severe impact on the drivers’ hands.
Aston Martin F1 team boss says Fernando Alonso worried car will cause ‘nerve damage’
It appears that Aston Martin’s Australian Grand Prix hopes are hanging by a thread. According to ESPN, team principal Adrian Newey revealed drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are risking permanent nerve damage due to severe vibrations in the car.
The alarming revelation comes after a disastrous preseason, where Aston Martin completed the fewest laps and posted uncompetitive lap times. The vibrations, caused by the Honda power unit, are so intense that Alonso can only drive for 25 laps, while Stroll’s limit is just 15 laps.
With the issue forcing Aston Martin to limit their laps, Newey stated that they’re in a “scary place”. Meanwhile, Honda’s president, Koji Watanabe, has acknowledged the issue but couldn’t provide a timeline for a fix.
Additionally, Lance Stroll’s low lap count is raising concerns about a lingering wrist injury from a 2023 bike accident, which worsened in June. The injury might be contributing to his sensitivity to the car’s vibrations. However, Stroll has denied that the injury is an issue in the new car.
As of now, Adrian Newey has suggested the team might not finish the Australian Grand Prix unless they can find a quick fix for the vibration issue. The team principal further shared that he and Koji Watanabe have not yet discussed the vibration issue in detail.
However, things seemed more upbeat at the news conference later, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll putting on brave faces. Alonso, who’s been waiting for his 33rd F1 win since 2013, downplayed the vibrations, saying he’d cope if the car was competitive. Stroll, meanwhile, was optimistic about the season ahead, despite his struggles with the car’s vibrations.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.