Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Aston Martin has confirmed that work on the Honda power unit in Lance Stroll’s car will delay his participation in FP3 at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit.
The development marks another difficult moment for the Silverstone-based team as it struggles with reliability issues at the beginning of its new works partnership with Honda under the latest Formula 1 regulations.
Both Stroll and team-mate Fernando Alonso have experienced limited track running during the opening weekend in Melbourne. Team principal Adrian Newey previously confirmed that the team currently has no spare batteries available for its power units.
The core issue stems from severe vibrations within the AMR26, which are damaging the hybrid battery components. According to Newey, the intensity of the vibrations is so significant that extended running could even pose health risks to the drivers.
He warned that excessive exposure could potentially lead to permanent nerve damage, meaning Aston Martin may need to heavily restrict its running during the race.
However, the immediate concern is whether both drivers will even qualify for the race. The AMR26 has struggled for performance during the early sessions, raising the possibility that the car could fall outside the FIA’s 107 percent qualifying rule.
If Aston Martin does secure a place on the grid, Alonso has estimated he could complete around 25 laps during the race, while Stroll suggested his limit could be closer to 15 laps due to the vibration issue.
For FP3, the team confirmed that ongoing work on Stroll’s power unit has delayed the rebuilding of his car, leaving uncertainty over how much running he will be able to complete before qualifying.
With reliability concerns continuing to affect both performance and preparation, Aston Martin faces a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season in Melbourne.
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