Defiant Alonso pushes back on Newey’s lap limit claims

Fernando Alonso has pushed back on Adrian Newey’s claims that extreme engine vibrations will force Aston Martin to set strict lap limits for its cars at the Australian Grand Prix.

Newey had suggested on Thursday in Melbourne that Alonso and Lance Stroll would be limited to somewhere between 15 and 25 laps in Sunday’s race, due to the potential risk of physical damage to the drivers’ nerve system caused by the Honda engine’s massive vibrations.

Alonso, however, painted a more nuanced picture. The Spaniard stressed that, while the vibrations are unusual, they do not prevent him from racing effectively.

“It’s not painful. It's not difficult to control the car,” he said. “The adrenaline is just way higher than any pain. If we were fighting for the win, we can do three hours in the car. Let's be clear.

“I think that overcomes anything when you are in the car. You don't have a limitation that will stop you from feeling the car or what you’re doing. Definitely it is something that is unusual.”

However, even the iron-willed Alonso couldn't deny the physics at play.

“It shouldn't be there. We don't know the consequences either if you keep driving like that for months. A solution has to be implemented,” he added, acknowledging that while he can survive a Sunday, the long-term prognosis remains a grey area.

A More Diplomatic Alonso

While Newey’s comments sparked concern, Alonso emphasized that Aston Martin is actively working with Honda to address the vibrations.

“The vibrations coming from the engine are hurting a little bit the components in the car,” he said. “The drivers, we feel our body with this frequency of the vibrations that you feel after 20 or 25 minutes.

“A little bit numb, I think is the word, on your hands or your feet or whatever.

• Read also: Aston Martin drivers at risk of nerve damage due to engine vibrations!

“It has been a challenge, but every day in Sakura [Honda’s R&D base] they try to find solutions. I think since Bahrain there were a couple of tests done.

“Some of the solutions are implemented on the car now. I have 100% faith that Honda will fix the problems because they did it already in the past. They will always be competitive and a top engine in Formula 1.”

Alonso’s tone is notably diplomatic, a stark contrast to his 2015 criticisms of Honda’s engine at McLaren, when his fury led him to publicly label the Japanese manufacturer’s power unit a “GP2 engine”.

Now, he has signaled his trust in the engine partner while acknowledging the unusual challenge posed by the AMR26.

The message is clear: Newey may have the data, but Alonso has the steering wheel. On Sunday, we will see which one gives way first – the driver’s nerves or the team’s caution.

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