Aston Martin has confirmed that Fernando Alonso is to miss the obligatory media day on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
The Spaniard and the Silverstone-based squad have endured a jointly miserable start to the new campaign, with both Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll retiring from the first two Grands Prix.
Its AMR26 challenger, designed by current Team Principal Adrian Newey, has been fraught with issues, largely stemming from its Honda power unit.
The two-time World Champion bravely completed 35 laps of the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago, but was forced to box the car after suffering from increasing numbness due to the PU’s vibrations within the car.
Alonso, a two-time race-winner in Japan, will be in Suzuka in the hope of restoring Honda some pride at its home Grand Prix, but in a statement issued to Motorsport Week, it was confirmed his mandatory media duties will be missed.
“Fernando is arriving slightly later this weekend for personal family reasons and won’t be attending media day at the Japanese Grand Prix,” the statement read.
“All is well and he will be at the track in time for Friday.”
Alonso will have an additional day off on Friday, with the team’s reserve driver Jak Crawford taking the reigns of his #14 car for FP1.
Newey is expected to be present on the pit wall this weekend, having missed the previous round in Shanghai, as part of his agreed absence from a number of Grands Prix this year.
The team is at the centre of continuing speculation that it is set to appoint a new Team Principal, with Newey expected to, at some stage, revert back to a technical role.
Motorsport Week understands that its primary target is Jonathan Wheatley, who sensationally quit Audi last week.
READ MORE – Helmut Marko issues stark Adrian Newey revelation amid Aston Martin F1 misery
Discussion about this post