Aston Martin’s preparations for the new Formula 1 season have not gone entirely to plan. During a longer run in Bahrain, Fernando Alonso was forced to stop on track after a technical problem linked to the power unit.

The team had intended to complete an extended race simulation, but the issue brought the session to an early end. Mechanics recovered the car under additional safety measures, and Alonso did not return to the track on Thursday.

Compared to several rivals who have managed higher overall mileage during the tests, Aston Martin’s running has been more restricted. Reliability and consistent track time remain key objectives as the final hours of pre-season testing continue on Friday.

Honda confirmed that the problem was related to the battery system. The manufacturer stated that it has been analysing the data and conducting simulations at its Sakura facility in Japan. Due to ongoing checks and limited spare parts, the team adjusted its programme to focus on shorter runs rather than long simulations.

With testing not yet complete, Aston Martin will aim to gather as much data as possible in the remaining sessions before the season-opening Grand Prix.