Fernando Alonso said his Aston Martin lost a full second on the longest straight in Baku's final sector, leaving the team with almost no real chance to overtake during the race. The AMR26 'B' chassis is not the only issue: Honda's power unit is the bigger problem on a circuit that punishes every loss of speed.
Alonso qualified 19th for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but a late change to his combustion engine and battery, along with a new turbocharger, will send him to 21st on the grid. Only Lance Stroll will start behind him. Aston Martin also fitted a new energy store before FP3, bringing Alonso an additional five-place grid penalty. Reports from the FIA and Formula1.com confirmed that both Aston Martin drivers received grid penalties for new Honda power-unit components. Their grid positions were shaped by more than qualifying pace.
The weakness also showed up in the cockpit. Vibrations were visible on Alonso's on-board camera and in his movements at the wheel. Baku's long straights already expose the lack of power; the vibration added another concern.
Alonso still liked parts of the car. In Free Practice 3, he felt more comfortable than he had the previous day, and that confidence carried into qualifying. He was particularly happy with the car under braking and through the corners.
Adrian Newey's AMR26 'B' gave Alonso enough confidence to attack the tighter parts of the lap, especially the twistier second sector. The car loses much more time in the first and third sectors, where long runs at full throttle give the chassis little chance to recover the gap.
Formula1.com reported that Aston Martin restricted Alonso's running in the second practice session after the team suspected an oil leak. The issue added a technical concern to the power deficit already exposed by Baku's long straights.
Baku makes the Aston Martin feel like two different cars. In the technical sections, Alonso can use the balance and braking stability he praised. On the straights, Honda's deficit wipes out that advantage before the next corner.
The wind made the session harder. An earlier weather report described cooler conditions in Barcelona, but that contrast does not change the central problem in Baku. Weather matters here when it changes how the car can be placed on track; it cannot remove the speed deficit on the straight.
The FIA penalties point to more than a tactical engine change for one weekend. Reports from the FIA and specialist Formula 1 outlets say Alonso had exceeded seasonal allowances for several power-unit elements, including the internal combustion engine and turbocharger. He had also exceeded the allowance for ancillary components. Stroll also took penalties for new Honda components.
Both Aston Martin cars are so in the penalty zone and close to the back of the grid regardless of their qualifying results.
Alonso has already turned his attention beyond Baku. Aston Martin will use the remaining running to learn as much as possible about the car before preparing for Malaysia and the return to Sepang the following week.
Aston Martin has built a chassis Alonso can trust in the corners, but Honda's power and vibration problems overwhelm that progress on a layout dominated by acceleration and top speed. Until the power unit stops giving away a second on one straight, the AMR26 'B' may look promising in the bends while lacking the speed needed to fight for positions.
