Fernando Alonso will miss the media day at the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for this weekend, due to the birth of his first child. This development comes as the 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold, with Alonso’s team, Aston Martin, facing significant challenges.
In his absence, Jak Crawford will step in to replace Alonso for the first practice session in Japan. Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, expressed enthusiasm about giving Crawford another opportunity, emphasizing the team’s commitment to developing young talent.
The 2026 season has been tumultuous for Aston Martin, as they currently sit last in the world championship standings after two races. Alonso has faced difficulties, retiring from both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. His teammate, Lance Stroll, also struggled, finishing last in Melbourne, a staggering 15 laps behind the winner.
Compounding these issues, the Honda engine used by Aston Martin has been plagued by severe vibrations, leading to reliability concerns. The power unit is reportedly down on power and unable to recover or deploy energy at the full permitted rate of 350kW. This technical shortfall has hindered the team’s performance on the track.
As Alonso is in the final year of his contract with Aston Martin, questions loom about his future in Formula 1 beyond 2026. While he has not confirmed his plans, his current focus is understandably on his family during this significant personal milestone.
In a statement regarding Alonso’s absence, Aston Martin noted, “Fernando is arriving slightly later this weekend for personal family reasons and won’t be attending media day at the Japanese Grand Prix.” This highlights the importance of family amidst the pressures of professional racing.
Meanwhile, Shintaro Orihara, a representative from Honda, mentioned the ongoing efforts to address the reliability issues, stating, “In China, we made some progress in terms of battery reliability thanks to a reduction in the vibration affecting the systems, but we must find more solutions to establish the cause of the vibrations affecting the drivers.”
As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, the team will be looking to regroup and find solutions to their technical challenges, all while celebrating Alonso’s new chapter as a parent.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Alonso’s plans for the remainder of the season, but his commitment to the sport and his team remains evident.