Fernando Alonso To Miss Japanese GP Media Day After Birth Of First Child

Fernando Alonso will miss Thursday’s media duties at the Japanese Grand Prix after the birth of his first child. Aston Martin said the two-time world champion would arrive later than planned for «personal family reasons», with confirmation that his partner Melissa Jimenez has given birth.

The team added that Alonso will be at Suzuka in time for Friday, although he is not scheduled to take part in the opening practice session. Reserve driver Jak Crawford is set to drive the car as part of the team’s required rookie programme.

Difficult Start For Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso’s delayed arrival comes amid a challenging start to the season for Aston Martin, which sits bottom of the standings after two races. Both Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll have struggled, with retirements and poor finishes highlighting early issues.

The team’s new partnership with Honda has been hindered by significant reliability concerns, particularly severe engine vibrations that have affected the battery and overall performance. Engineers are working to address the problem, which has also impacted driver comfort.

Honda admits progress has been made but says further improvements are needed, especially in energy management and power output. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Honda’s home circuit, will be a key test as the manufacturer looks to demonstrate signs of recovery.

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