Fernando Alonso flagged a gearbox glitch that cost him 1.2 seconds in Miami qualifying, pushing him off the Q2 cut‑off. The problem, tied to the Aston Martin switch from Mercedes to Honda works engines, manifests as erratic downshifts that alarm drivers on tight circuits ahead of the season’s tightest tracks today.

Alonso warned that Monaco's narrow streets will expose any sudden loss of gear sync. He said a random downshift could force a driver into a wall, making the driver look foolish. In Montreal, the team lost sync below 40 km/h, costing valuable lap time for the team's progress in the season.

During sprint qualifying, Alonso reached Q2, yet the AMR26 still trails rivals. Lance Stroll noted the gearbox still mis‑syncs, especially at Loews hairpin, forcing repeated re‑engagements that erode lap times. The team claims Montreal saw improvement, but the issue remains unresolved for the team's future performance in Monaco and beyond.

Alonso admits Monaco offers little chance for points unless top teams falter. He views the race as a strict test of reliability, with the gearbox issue likely decisive. The AMR26’s fate at the 20th Grand Prix will shape its season‑long battle for competitiveness in the season's late stage and future.