Fernando Alonso missed practice for the Japanese Grand Prix as Aston Martin struggles with severe vibration from its Honda engine. Team principal Mike Krack confirmed the decision to rest Alonso, citing concerns over driver safety after the Spaniard reported losing feeling in his hands and feet during the Chinese Grand Prix.
The vibration issue has plagued Aston Martin since pre-season testing. Adrian Newey, the team's car designer, admitted he feared drivers could suffer permanent nerve damage. In China, Alonso retired after 32 laps, while teammate Lance Stroll lasted only 10 laps due to a battery problem.
Honda, returning to Formula One as Aston Martin's engine supplier, has faced reliability and performance issues. The engine is underpowered and prone to battery failures, leaving the team with limited running. In Australia, Aston Martin used its last available battery units.
With no quick fix expected for Japan, the team hopes to use a five-week break after the race to address the vibration problem. Honda general manager Shintaro Orihara noted small gains, saying the team ran more miles in China than in Melbourne, but acknowledged the challenges ahead.
