SAKHIR, Bahrain – Fernando Alonso remains steadfast in his belief that Aston Martin, under the leadership of Adrian Newey, will ultimately produce the best car on the Formula 1 grid. However, the two-time world champion acknowledges a challenging start to the 2026 season, bracing for a period of being “on the back foot” as the team integrates significant changes.
Aston Martin has openly admitted to lagging behind leading competitors during the initial 2026 pre-season tests. The team is navigating a complex transition, incorporating not only Newey’s first design for the Silverstone-based outfit but too a new Honda power unit and their first in-house gearbox. This combination presents a steep learning curve as they aim to challenge the established frontrunners in this new era of F1 regulations.
Newey, who assumed team principal duties this season in addition to his technical role, is providing “all the things we require,” according to Alonso. “He has the experience. He has been in better times, tougher times, and I think we have a clear path of improvement,” Alonso stated to Sky Sports F1. The team completed the fewest laps and set the slowest times during the first Bahrain test, completing just over 200 laps, as they function to unlock the potential of their new package.
Watch the highlights of the third day of the first Bahrain pre-season Test.
Alonso emphasized the importance of a step-by-step approach, identifying areas for improvement and acknowledging that the initial phase will be about building a foundation. “We said at the launch of the car that we go from maybe a little bit more difficult start on the back foot to a much better second part of the season, and I still think the same. The second part of the season is when we need to be where we want to be,” he explained.
Significant Upgrades Expected for Australian Grand Prix
A substantial upgrade package is already in the works, with Newey promising a significantly different car for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 6-8. “Melbourne’s car is going to be incredibly different,” Alonso confirmed, adding that he has already seen images of the planned changes. “Not only Melbourne, we have a guy that after 30-plus years in Formula 1 has been dominating the sport all of those, so eventually we will have the best car. It’s a matter of time, but we want to have that as soon as possible.”
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater and Ted Kravitz seize look at pre-season testing so far with the first week of running in Bahrain complete.
Teammate Lance Stroll reported during the Bahrain test that Aston Martin was approximately 4.5 seconds off the leading pace. While Alonso acknowledged the car is running reliably, he pinpointed aerodynamic performance and engine integration as key areas for development. “Surely, we need to integrate a little bit the power unit and the very first gearbox for Aston Martin. But I think the aero performance and the engine performance will still dominate the lap time, so it’s where we need to unlock more performance,” he said.
Watch as Aston Martin reveal their striking new AMR26 for the 2026 season.
Newey’s Role and Team Restructure
Adrian Newey’s appointment as team principal on November 26, 2025, marked a significant shift in Aston Martin’s leadership structure, as reported by Motorsport.com. He replaced Andy Cowell, who transitioned to the role of chief strategy officer. This move came despite a challenging 2025 season where Aston Martin finished seventh in the constructors’ championship, with Fernando Alonso’s fifth-place finish in Hungary being their highest result. Alonso, however, dismissed the notion that the team’s performance directly influenced the decision to elevate Newey’s responsibilities, stating it was a long-term strategic view.
The team is also benefiting from a newly constructed state-of-the-art wind tunnel in Silverstone, which Newey has described as “the best wind tunnel in F1,” according to F1Oversteer. This investment in infrastructure is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s development efforts.
Looking ahead, Aston Martin’s focus remains on maximizing the potential of their new partnership with Honda and refining the AMR26. The team will continue to analyze data from the Bahrain tests and implement upgrades aimed at closing the gap to their rivals. The Australian Grand Prix will serve as a critical benchmark to assess the effectiveness of these changes and set the tone for the remainder of the 2026 season.
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