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Alonso's Hands Numb: Aston Martin F1 Car Shakes Violently
15 Mar
Summary
- Fernando Alonso reported losing feeling in extremities due to car vibrations.
- Aston Martin F1 car experienced violent shaking, raising nerve damage concerns.
- Four cars failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix due to mechanical issues.
Fernando Alonso was forced to retire from the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday due to extreme vibrations from his Aston Martin F1 car. The vibrations were so severe that Alonso reported losing feeling in his hands and feet, describing it as a "not nice feeling" that made continuing impossible. Onboard footage from his car revealed violent oscillations, particularly on the Shanghai International Circuit's straights, forcing Alonso to intermittently release the steering wheel.
These issues stem from ongoing problems with Aston Martin's engine supplier, Honda. Teammate Lance Stroll also retired earlier in the race with a suspected battery issue. The team's concerns are amplified by fears of potential permanent nerve damage, as admitted by team principal Adrian Newey before the season. The AMR26's violent shaking has been a significant worry.
Alonso also voiced criticism regarding the overall spectacle of the race, noting that four drivers—Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon, and Gabriel Bortoleto—could not start due to mechanical problems. He attributed this to the "world championship of battery life" affecting the new generation of cars.
Aston Martin faces a critical period to address these technical challenges before the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks, which is Honda's home event. Following this, the team will have a five-week break to implement improvements.
