The two-time world champion's absence comes as Aston Martin endures a disastrous start to the Formula 1 season, sitting last in the world championship after two races. The team has been plagued by major reliability and performance issues with their Honda engine, leading to retirements for both drivers. Fernando Alonso has retired from both events in Australia and China, while teammate Lance Stroll retired in China and finished last, 15 laps behind the winner, in Melbourne.
Honda's primary problem is a severe vibration from the engine that has been causing battery failures. In China, Alonso retired because holding the steering wheel was proving too painful due to these vibrations. Team principal Adrian Newey said at the first race of the season that the vibrations were so bad they risked permanent nerve damage for the drivers within 25 laps of running.
All is well and he will be at the track in time for Friday.
The Japanese Grand Prix holds added significance as the home race for Honda, held on their own Suzuka track built on the orders of the company's founder Soichiro Honda in the 1960s. Aston Martin's reserve driver Jak Crawford will drive the car in one of the team's mandated rookie sessions this year. It remains unclear how long it will take Honda to resolve the vibration issues or the specific cause of the vibrations affecting the drivers, and Alonso's participation in practice sessions beyond Friday's first session is not confirmed.