Alonso’s stop-start race explained
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Alonso retired from the race after a stop-start ordeal with his Honda-powered Aston Martin AMR26.
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Contrary to speculation, the stops were not caused by battery vibrations, but by two separate technical issues with the car:
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A small data issue detected after his initial stint.
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Another problem emerged after he returned to the track, forcing a second stop.
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Race progression
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Alonso started 17th but had a strong launch to 10th in the first two laps.
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Once the initial chaos of the start settled, he fell back to 17th, before the issues forced him into the garage.
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He temporarily rejoined the race 11 laps down before retiring to conserve components.
Vibrations remain a challenge
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Alonso admitted the vibrations from the battery are still present, similar to what he experienced in Bahrain.
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Honda has improved the battery isolation, but the chassis still experiences residual vibrations, requiring further adjustments.
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Alonso stressed the importance of continued testing and gathering data to optimise the car, especially as mileage has been limited.
Outlook for China
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Alonso does not expect improvements for the next race in China, as the car and power unit remain unchanged.
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He emphasized persistence and learning, aiming to understand the car better and find solutions for the vibrations and overall performance.