F1, China Day 3 – Fernando Alonso abandons Aston Martin mid-race: “I couldn’t feel my hands or feet anymore”

The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix came to an abrupt end for Fernando Alonso. The Spanish driver for Aston Martin F1 Team was forced to retire mid-race in Shanghai after experiencing severe vibrations from his car, which was powered by the new Honda engine.

Worrying and unsettling vibrations for Alonso

After about twenty laps, Alonso began to experience a loss of sensation in his hands and feet, a direct consequence of the jolts caused by the car. The situation became physically difficult for the two-time world champion to endure.

« Between approximately the 20th and 35th lap, I started to lose feeling in my hands and feet. " he explained after the race. We were already a lap behind the leaders and at the very bottom of the standings. In those circumstances, continuing no longer made much sense.

These problems appear to be directly related to the operation of the new powertrain. Hondaintroduced this season as part of Formula 1's major technical revolution of 2026. The arrival of the renowned engineer Adrian Newey And yet this new regulation had raised a lot of hope within the British team.

But in Shanghai, Aston Martin found himself in great difficulty, far from the pace of the leading teams and even the intermediate peloton.

According to AlonsoThere are some temporary solutions to limit vibrations, but they compromise the car's performance.

« You can reduce engine speed to dampen vibrations, but in racing you need to use full power when pushing hard or when recharging. So it's not really a sustainable solution. »

The Spanish driver believes that the key now lies in the analytical work carried out by Honda.

"Honda needs time to understand precisely the origin of these vibrations and find a way to make the engine run under better conditions."

Stroll is much more pessimistic

His teammate Lance stroll He also missed the finish of the Chinese Grand Prix. The Canadian, also forced to retire, was considerably more skeptical about a quick solution.

When asked about the possibility of fixing the problem before the next championship match, he replied ironically:
« Unless they find a miracle solution in the next ten days… we'll have to pray. Pray for me.

The situation is already putting a lot of pressure on Honda et Aston Martin, who have little time before the next round of the championship, scheduled in Japan, the home race for the Japanese engine manufacturer.

For the British team, this match is already crucial in order to prevent this start to the season from turning into a real sporting crisis.