Alonso flags 'weird' gearbox issue as Aston Martin reliability improves

Aston Martin achieved a minor milestone of getting both cars to the finish for the first time in 2026 at the Miami GP, but Fernando Alonso's P15 and Lance Stroll's P17 underscored their deep performance struggles. While a persistent engine vibration issue seems resolved, Alonso revealed a new and concerning "weird" problem with the gearbox and electronics, casting a shadow over their reliability gains ahead of the demanding Canadian Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

For a team with ambitions of returning to the front, simply finishing races is a low bar. The shift from one technical gremlin to another highlights Aston Martin's ongoing battle to produce a consistently drivable and competitive package. With no major upgrades planned until after the summer break, the team faces a long, repetitive stretch of races where managing frustration becomes as important as managing strategy.

The details:

• A Miami Silver Lining: The primary positive from Miami was reliability, with both AMR26s seeing the checkered flag together for the first time this season.
• A Rain Gambit: Alonso's long first stint was a strategic gamble hoping for rain that never materialized, a move he admitted was born of necessity with little to lose given their performance deficit.
• A New Problem Emerges: Alonso reported that a "weird" issue with the gearbox, electronics, and shift control plagued him all weekend, replacing the earlier Honda engine vibration concerns.
  • He identified fixing this erratic behavior as the top priority for Canada, a circuit known for punishing drivetrains with its heavy braking zones.
• Alonso's Realistic Assessment: The two-time champion was blunt about the immediate future, stating the team can make steps in "drivability" but not in outright "performance" until upgrades arrive.

What's next:

The outlook for the coming races is one of grim repetition. Alonso anticipates the same challenging performance in Canada and Austria, with the same difficult questions from media.

• The key focus is internal: managing the frustration level within the team while remaining committed to a planned development push for the second half of the season.
• All eyes will be on the gearbox in Montreal to see if the new issue compounds their problems or if a fix can be found, turning a small reliability victory into a more meaningful step.