F1 Today: Bad news for Aston Martin, as Verstappen clarifies F1 exit concerns

Following an eventful start at the Albert Park circuit, the 2026 F1 season rolls on with the Chinese Grand Prix next on the calendar.

The race weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit will feature the first sprint race of the campaign. The 2025 edition featured a mix of emotions for the Scuderia Ferrari team, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc getting disqualified after the Grand Prix.

Media day for this year’s edition is now in the bag, and teams are now focused on the on-track action.

Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, Shintaro Orihara, has issued an update on the Aston Martin 'car vibrations', and it isn't great news for Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Prior to the Australian GP, team principal Adrian Newey revealed neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll could complete the Grand Prix due to the risk of 'permanent nerve damage.'

Although neither driver finished the race classified, the team completed 64 laps around Albert Park, no doubt useful for data, but Orihara has said the vibration issue will continue in China.

Orihara, doubling down on his claims, stressed there haven't been "any countermeasures" for the vibrations in the car.

Verstappen has addressed concerns about a potential exit from Formula 1, despite reassurances from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Having flirted with the possibility of an abrupt exit from the sport last time out in Australia, the Red Bull Racing driver clarified that leaving the sport is not his intention, though he acknowledged that racing has become less enjoyable.

The four-time world champion explained that he is keeping busy with what he calls “positive distractions.” Verstappen further noted the conflicting emotions about continuing in F1, coupled with how less fun the current generation of cars are to drive.

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