Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are contending with severe vibration issues in the AMR26 car during the current 2026 Formula 1 season. The problem has led to significant concerns regarding driver safety and the team’s performance.
The extreme vibrations are causing numbness in the drivers’ hands and feet, raising the risk of permanent nerve damage. Onboard footage from the Chinese Grand Prix showed Alonso lifting his hands from the steering wheel mid-lap due to the discomfort.
Pre-season testing revealed the severity of the issue, with engineers discovering the car shakes violently at speed. This has forced a restriction on lap counts for both drivers during race weekends.
Alonso has indicated he can manage approximately 25 laps before the shaking becomes too severe. Stroll, who underwent wrist surgery in 2023, is reportedly limited to just 10 to 15 laps.
The vibrations are believed to originate from the new Honda power unit, which Aston Martin is utilising for the first time under the 2026 regulations. The car’s chassis is reportedly unable to absorb these low-frequency oscillations effectively.
Beyond driver health, the issue has also impacted car reliability. Reports indicate components such as mirrors and tail lights have fallen off the AMR26 due to the constant shaking.
Fernando Alonso was forced to retire from the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this season, citing the brutal vibrations as the primary reason. He stated, ‘I couldn’t feel my hands and feet, there was no point in continuing.’
Adrian Newey, Aston Martin’s team principal, confirmed the severity of the problem. He noted that the power unit acts as an amplifier for the vibrations, which are then transmitted through the stiff carbon chassis directly to the drivers.
Honda has been evaluating countermeasures on its dyno to reduce the vibrations. However, as of July 2026, these potential fixes have not yet been implemented or tested on track.
The ongoing vibration problem represents a significant setback for Aston Martin’s 2026 campaign. The team’s aspirations for championship contention are currently overshadowed by fundamental car issues.
