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Alonso blames new Honda power unit for Zandvoort sprint qualifying struggles
Fernando Alonso has pointed to engine drivability issues and a failing straight-line mode after qualifying at the back of the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix sprint race.
By Nadia van Leeuwen - 2026-08-21T16:40:00.000Z - 2 min read
Aston Martin experienced a difficult start to the Dutch Grand Prix weekend as both Fernando Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll exited the opening phase of sprint qualifying at Zandvoort. The double world champion will line up at the very back of the grid for the sprint race after finishing the session with a time of 1m16.014s, while Stroll qualified just ahead in nineteenth place.
The dismal result comes immediately after a promising outing in Hungary, where Aston Martin introduced a significant chassis upgrade that allowed Alonso to escape Q1 for the first time this year. However, the introduction of an upgraded Honda power unit at Zandvoort brought a fresh set of complications that severely hampered the team's pace during the quick-fire qualifying format.
Alonso explained that while free practice ran relatively smoothly and indicated a step forward, the competitive session exposed major technical hurdles. The Spaniard pointed specifically to engine drivability as a primary culprit behind his struggles on the notoriously unforgiving coastal circuit.
According to the veteran driver, the power unit was overdelivering under braking, creating a pushing sensation that made it exceptionally difficult to decelerate the car consistently. Compounding these mechanical headaches, Alonso also reported that the straight-line mode failed to function, preventing him from opening his rear wing during crucial moments of his laps.
The combination of unexpected acceleration under braking and a disabled rear-wing mechanism made the laps treacherous. During an early push lap, the issue caught him out when he locked his front brakes and slid through the gravel trap at Turn 12, leaving him scrambling to post a meaningful time before the end of the session.
Despite the frustrating outcome, Alonso exercised caution before delivering a harsh verdict on his engine supplier's latest hardware. He noted that the power unit is still in its infancy and features immature control systems that require extensive calibration.
The tight schedule of a sprint weekend amplified the teething problems, leaving engineers with only a single practice hour to optimize the package instead of the usual three. Aston Martin now faces a steep uphill battle to understand and rectify the issues before the sprint race gets underway.