Fernando Alonso dismisses major Aston Martin Adrian Newey worry

Fernando Alonso has rejected the worry of Aston Martin boss Adrian Newey that he is in a "tough mental place" following the start to the season the team has endured.

Aston Martin's move to a Honda works power unit deal has been fraught with poor results, reliability concerns, and a lack of power thus far, with Newey even claiming in Australia that Alonso and Lance Stroll were at risk of "permanent nerve damage" owing to vibrations in the chassis from the Honda.

Honda deployed countermeasures during the Japanese GP, in which Alonso chalked up the team's first finish of the season, with Alonso explaining he did not recognise Newey's suggestion of him being in a tough mental position over the situation, given the huge expectations pre-season.

"Less tough than what you think," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365, when presented with Newey's concern.

"I mean, it is not ideal. We all want to win. We are 22 drivers this year. One will win, 21 will be in a difficult and tough mental state, because for me to finish third or fifth or 17th, it really doesn’t matter much. 

"I was lucky enough and privileged enough to live different eras in Formula 1 and to have fun driving, and eventually super lucky to have competitive cars for half of my career and achieve more than 100 podiums in the category. 

"So now to finish, as I said, in any other position that is not first, for me it’s the same pain and the same struggle. 

"Obviously, we are now in this journey with the team, which is not the ideal start, but it’s the first year of this collaboration between Aston Martin and Honda, and we have to go through this moment in time, and I’m ready to help as much as I can."