Fernando Alonso retirement fears grow as 'significant' pain reported

There are concerns that Fernando Alonso could be told to retire from Formula 1 mid-season due to 'significant' pain in his neck and left wrist, a journalist has claimed.

Alonso, who turns 45 in June, is entering his fifth season with Aston Martin.

The Silverstone-based team are currently unable to complete full race distances due to severe issues with their Honda power unit, which are causing excessive vibrations to the wrists of drivers Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Team principal and managing technical partner Adrian Newey claimed in Australia that the vibrations risk causing 'permanent nerve damage' through prolonged stints in the car, and that Alonso was limited to 25 consecutive laps while Stroll could do 15.

Alonso is reportedly experiencing 'significant discomfort' inside the Aston Martin (Image: Getty)

The outcome on race day in Melbourne ended up being slightly more positive, with Stroll managing to complete 43 out of the 58 laps before returning to the garage.

The Canadian had to receive permission to race after he was forced to sit out qualifying due to an ICE issue.

Alonso, meanwhile, moved up seven places to 10th on lap 1 on soft tyres, but slipped down the field.

He came into the garage twice during the race, with Aston Martin fixing a problem that it was thought would end his race early before, upon his return to the circuit, encountering a second issue that proved to be terminal. Alonso would complete 21 laps in total.

The Spaniard has spoken in optimistic terms about the remainder of the 2026 season, while acknowledging that a complete fix to the power unit issues are reliant on Honda.

Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll had significant car issues during the Australian GP weekend (Image: Getty)

But during an appearance on Radio Marca's 'La Tribu' program, Spanish journalist Emilio Perez de Rozas has claimed that Alonso is suffering 'significant discomfort' while in the Aston Martin car - and could even be advised to retire from the sport during the 2026 season.

Perez de Rozas stated that 'the body has a memory' in regards to Alonso's physical issues, adding: "The project is currently an absolute fiasco.

"We'll see if they recommend he stop and if he might retire."

SPORTbible have contacted Fernando Alonso's management company, A14 Management, for comment.

Speaking after the Australian Grand Prix, Alonso said he was expecting Aston Martin's issues to be 'no different' at the next race in China - and explained exactly why it will take time for the team to identify a solution.

"It's not the best feeling driving with this level of vibrations," he said (via Crash.net).

"I think Honda thinks that the vibrations of the battery are reduced since Bahrain, with some of the modifications. But that didn't happen to the chassis yet because they need to isolate the battery in a different way.

"So I think it will take a little bit more time, but we try to do our best and to do as many laps as possible to help the team."