Fernando Alonso sets timeline over 'normal' Aston Martin F1 weekend goal

Fernando Alonso is hopeful Aston Martin can soon enjoy a grand prix weekend free of lap restrictions due to reliability concerns.

The AMR26 has faced various issues across the opening two rounds of the season, primarily stemming from the Honda power unit.

Significant vibrations limited Aston Martin's run time at pre-season testing and both Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll failed to see the chequered flag at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.

Honda is continuing to work on a fix to get the car in a position where it can run uninterrupted throughout an event.

When asked how long it will take for Aston Martin to have a “normal weekend”, Alonso told media including RacingNews365: “Difficult to guess. I don’t know really. 

“We still have too many issues and too many unknown issues that are coming day after day from nowhere, so it seems that we are not on top of the problems yet and that’s why it’s difficult to guess. 

“But we are pushing, we have very high professionals and talented people in the team.

“I hope by a couple of Grands Prix we can have a normal weekend, well, at least in terms of doing laps and completing the sessions.”

However, the team has also conceded that its chassis needs work compared to rival teams - but thus far, it has largely been unable to develop it due to its lack of track time.

 Alonso has acknowledged that a step forward in competitiveness will take even longer than its goal to finish races.

“Then to be competitive, I think that will take more time, to be honest, because once we fix the reliability then we will be behind in terms of power and things,” he said.

“There are two steps, let’s say, and hopefully the first step will come soon.”