Alonso's concealed inflatable seat system disclosed

      Fernando Alonso has been using a concealed inflatable lumbar support system in his Aston Martin cockpit, which may have malfunctioned during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The Spanish sports daily Marca disclosed new technical information regarding Alonso's unique seat arrangement following his retirement in Montreal, where he expressed significant discomfort and the need to "stop the pain."

      The 44-year-old driver has faced back issues for several seasons. As per Marca, Alonso’s Aston Martin seat features customized inflatable lumbar support cushions that are activated through air valves and tubing. Mechanics are frequently observed tinkering with the system before sessions.

      According to the report, the cushions function similarly to a blood pressure cuff, inflating until Alonso achieves the desired level of firmness and spinal support. Marca noted, "You can see his mechanic with two actuators and two air tubes." It is likely that there are two cushions positioned on both sides of his back.

      The purpose of the system is to safeguard Alonso’s spine from the harsh impacts and vibrations produced by modern Formula 1 cars, especially on uneven circuits. After retiring in Canada, Alonso acknowledged that he had been experiencing considerable difficulty with the seat position throughout the weekend. "I feel increasingly uncomfortable with each lap," he stated. "The position doesn’t feel right. We were out of the points, quite far from the points, and with no threat of rain ahead." Consequently, he mentioned, "So we decided to stop the pain."

      Marca speculated that the problem might have been related to either a leak in the inflatable support system or damage incurred during Alonso’s contact with the wall in SQ1 on Friday. Alonso noted, "Yes, we tried to tweak some things, but it didn’t work."

      Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Honda are beginning to show slight signs of improvement after a disappointing start to 2026. Alonso suggested that Monaco might favor their package a little better. "The engine will be a little less important," he remarked. "So perhaps there’s a bit more hope." However, he cautioned that there is no quick fix on the horizon. "The fundamental issue of a three-second lack of pace will only be addressed with increased engine power and advancements in the aerodynamic package in the latter part of the year."

      Honda engineer Shintaro Orihara confirmed that upgrades are already in the works. "We know where we need to improve," he stated. "Combustion needs enhancement. We are aware of how to achieve this." He added, "We have ideas to enhance combustion performance, and there are positive indications in the data," while emphasizing that reliability and reducing friction are also key objectives. "We’re not talking about the end of the season," he asserted. "We’ll see some progress before then, sometime during the summer break."