Aston Martin vibrations revelations extraordinary, but no quick fix

Based on that, Newey basically admitted both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will not be able to complete a race distance without getting permanent nerve damage.

It was another episode in Aston Martin's horror start to the 2026 Formula 1 season under the new regulations, which should've been their best chance to make a leap up the order, especially with Newey now designing their car.

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok admitted he was puzzled about the Aston Martin/Honda situation.

He said: "I was hoping this would be the year where the big four that we've been used to becomes the big five.

"The ingredients that are in that Aston Martin, with huge amounts of money invested into a new factory, new wind tunnel, the Honda engine program. They're making their own gearbox for the first time in 20 years. Then Adrian Newey as the cherry on top.

"There’s so many ingredients for it to become a top team, much like Red Bull were 20 years ago when so many ingredients came together. But so far in testing, it's looked pretty frustrating," he added.

"It's no secret," the driver-turned-pundit went on. "They have been the disappointment of testing so far, and these revelations about the vibrations affecting the drivers’ nerves are extraordinary.

"It doesn’t seem like there is a quick fix. I think the first half of the year is going to be a slog. But I really hope for their sake and for F1's sake, in the second half of the year, they're able to make some progress because I think it'd be great to have them as a contender."

One of the biggest losers in the Aston Martin saga is Alonso, who, at 44 years of age, is racing against time trying to manage at least another win.

Back in 2023, the Spaniard showed he still has what it takes to fight at the sharp end, delivering multiple podiums when Aston Martin started that year with a decent car.

Chandhok laments that Alonso will waste another year fighting down the grid; he said: "I really enjoyed watching Fernando back in 2023 fighting for podiums; he's such a feisty character.

"He's a great character to have in the sport, and the fans love him. I'd love to see him back in that position fighting for podiums and victories.

"But at the moment, it looks, on the evidence we've got, that they're in for a tough slog in the first half of the year," the former HRT and Lotus driver concluded. (Source: Betway)