Fernando Alonso expressed concern about a technical problem that could compromise Aston Martin’s performance at the Formula 1 Monaco GP. The Spaniard warned that if the team has not resolved the failures observed in recent races, both he and Lance Stroll risk suffering accidents on the challenging street circuit.
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The Silverstone team started using an internally developed gearbox for the first time in 2026. However, since the Miami GP, the team has been facing difficulties with downshifts, a situation that Alonso described as unpredictable and especially dangerous on a track surrounded by protective barriers like Monte Carlo.
According to the two-time F1 champion, the problem is among the main points that need to be evaluated this weekend: “There are some things in the car that need to improve, and Monaco will be a good test. One of them is certainly the gearbox,” he stated.
Alonso explained that the team has been facing constant difficulties with the system since Miami: “We have been struggling with the gearbox since Miami, and Monaco is not the place to have a random downshift. You can lock the rear or be pushed forward, and then you will hit the barrier. The driver will look stupid, but sometimes we are just passengers,” he said.
The Spaniard detailed that, in certain situations, the car’s reaction does not correspond to what is expected during downshifts: “You downshift and you need to keep accelerating with the engine, practically at full throttle. It’s something that shouldn’t happen,” he explained.
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Despite the concern, Alonso believes there was progress in the Canadian round: “We took a step in the right direction in Canada, and Monaco will tell the truth,” he continued. For him, the Principality’s circuit will be the definitive test to verify if the problem has really been solved.
The Spanish driver was even more emphatic when addressing the scenario if the failure persists: “If we have the same downshift problem we had in Miami, we probably won’t even be able to race, because we will crash at one of the braking points. There are many different types of downshifts here,” he added.
In addition to the gearbox issue, Alonso mentioned the reliability problems faced by the team at the start of the season. According to him, Aston Martin worked intensely in the two weeks since the Canadian GP to correct all the details before what is considered a crucial weekend: “We need to put everything together. We know this is an important weekend and we are paying close attention to every detail. I’m looking forward to getting in the car,” concluded the experienced driver.
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