Aston Martin F1 Team have released an official update confirming that Fernando Alonso will arrive late to the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, missing Thursday’s scheduled media activities but still expected to compete.
According to the team’s statement, Alonso’s delayed arrival is due to personal family reasons. As a result, he will not participate in the traditional media day appearances ahead of the race weekend. In his absence, teammate Lance Stroll stepped in to represent the team during official FIA press conferences, including engagements alongside key figures such as Koji Watanabe.
The team reassured fans and the paddock that there is no cause for concern regarding Alonso’s well-being. They confirmed that everything is fine and that the two-time world champion will arrive in time to take part in on-track activities beginning Friday. While the official statement did not go into detail, speculation within the Formula 1 community suggests that Alonso’s absence may be linked to a significant personal milestone — the expected birth of his first child with partner Melissa Jimenez. The couple had previously shared news of the pregnancy, with the due date anticipated to coincide closely with the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
Despite missing media duties, Alonso is still set to race. However, he will not participate in the first free practice session (FP1) on Friday. Instead, reserve driver Jak Crawford will take over driving responsibilities for that session. This move also fulfills Formula 1 regulations, which require teams to allocate a number of practice sessions throughout the season to rookie drivers, giving emerging talents valuable track experience.
Crawford’s appearance in FP1 offers Aston Martin a chance to both comply with these rules and gather additional data, while also allowing Alonso extra time before fully committing to the race weekend. It’s a strategic decision that blends regulatory requirements with practical team considerations.
Looking ahead, the Japanese Grand Prix presents a critical challenge for Aston Martin. The team has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, with both Alonso and Stroll struggling to complete full race distances. A persistent issue linked to vibrations from the Honda power unit has proven particularly problematic. These vibrations have reportedly caused severe discomfort for both drivers, making it extremely difficult to maintain control and endurance over an entire race.
This ongoing technical concern has prevented the team from achieving consistent results, placing them under increasing pressure — especially at a race hosted in front of Honda’s home crowd. Expectations are naturally high, and the spotlight will be firmly on Aston Martin to demonstrate meaningful progress with the AMR26 package.
For Alonso, the weekend carries added significance. Not only is he balancing a major personal moment off the track, but he also faces the challenge of helping steer his team through a tough competitive period. His experience and leadership will be vital as Aston Martin look to overcome their early-season struggles.
While his delayed arrival has drawn attention, all signs indicate that Alonso will be ready when it matters most. Fans can expect to see him back in the cockpit from later in the weekend, aiming to push through adversity and deliver a strong performance in Japan.
