Alonso to arrive late to Japanese GP for birth of first child

Fernando Alonso will miss all Thursday activities at the Japanese Grand Prix to be with his partner for the birth of their first child, arriving at the Suzuka circuit just in time for Friday's practice sessions. The two-time champion's late arrival coincides with a challenging weekend for Aston Martin, as engine partner Honda continues to battle significant reliability and performance issues.

Why it matters:

Alonso's prioritization of a major life event highlights the intense personal sacrifices F1 drivers make, even at the pinnacle of their careers. For Aston Martin, his slightly truncated weekend adds another layer of complexity as the team grapples with fundamental technical problems that have derailed their 2026 season from the start, turning a home race for power unit supplier Honda into a damage limitation exercise.

The details:

• Alonso and partner Melissa Jiménez announced the pregnancy last year, with the due date always set to clash with the Japanese GP weekend.
• Aston Martin confirmed he will skip the official Thursday media day and arrive only on Friday, with all team activities adjusted accordingly.
• The team had already planned for his absence from first practice, with rookie driver Jak Crawford set to fulfill one of the team's mandated young driver sessions.
• Honda's ongoing struggles: The engine manufacturer, which powers Aston Martin, admits it is still not where it wants to be.
  • Chief engineer Shintaro Orihara stated that while battery reliability improved in China by reducing system vibrations, the root cause of the vibrations affecting the drivers remains unsolved.
  • Beyond reliability, Honda is also lacking in power and energy management performance compared to its targets.

What's next:

Alonso is expected to be in the car for second practice and the remainder of the weekend, providing crucial feedback as Aston Martin and Honda seek solutions. The focus for the team will be on maximizing a difficult package at Honda's home race, with long-term fixes for the vibration and performance deficits being the clear priority for the remainder of the season.