Aston Martin F1 Drivers Withdraw from Australian GP Due to Vibration Issues

Team boss says vibration problems risk nerve damage for Alonso and Stroll.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Aston Martin Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will not finish the season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to health concerns linked to a vibration problem with their car, team boss Adrian Newey said on Thursday.

Why it matters

Vibration issues in Formula 1 cars can lead to serious long-term health problems for drivers, including nerve damage and chronic pain. This is a significant setback for Aston Martin, who were hoping for a strong start to the season.

The details

Newey explained that the vibration problems with the Aston Martin car have become severe enough that continuing to race would risk further injury to Alonso and Stroll. The team has decided to withdraw the drivers from the Australian GP in order to address the issue before the next race.

  • The 2026 Formula One season is set to begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 5, 2026.

The players

Adrian Newey

The chief technical officer of the Aston Martin Formula One team.

Fernando Alonso

A veteran Formula One driver currently racing for Aston Martin.

Lance Stroll

A Canadian Formula One driver currently racing for Aston Martin.

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What they’re saying

“Vibration issues in Formula 1 cars can lead to serious long-term health problems for drivers, including nerve damage and chronic pain.”

— Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, Aston Martin F1 Team (China.dot.org)

What’s next

Aston Martin will work to resolve the vibration issues with their car before the next race on the Formula 1 calendar.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the physical toll that driving an F1 car can take on a driver's body, and the importance of teams prioritizing driver safety and health over short-term performance.