Alonso out for FP1

Aston Martin Aramco confirmed Third Driver Jak Crawford will take Fernando Alonso’s AMR26 for Free Practice 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. (astonmartinf1.com) The team’s schedule lists FP1 at Suzuka on Thursday, 26 March 2026, with the session timed at 19:30–20:30 PDT. (astonmartinf1.com) Aston Martin said the swap fulfils one of its mandated rookie sessions and noted Crawford has already completed two FP1 outings late in 2025, making this his third FP1 in less than six months with more than 3,000km in Aston Martin machinery. (astonmartinf1.com) The decision arrives while Aston Martin struggles for form and reliability after the opening rounds of 2026, including a double retirement at the Chinese Grand Prix where Lance Stroll pulled off at Turn 1 on Lap 9 and Fernando Alonso stopped on Lap 32. (formula1.com) Mike Krack described the outing as an integration and data-gathering opportunity for the team, saying Crawford’s simulator work will be “particularly valuable at Suzuka” as the squad hunts solutions for the AMR26. (astonmartinf1.com) Crawford said he was “really excited to get behind the wheel” at Suzuka and thanked the team for the chance to contribute feedback and mileage during the weekend. (astonmartinf1.com)