Jonas Leo
Aston Martin’s ambitious preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season reached a significant milestone recently, as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso delivered a positive verdict on the AMR26 during its inaugural proper day of running. The shakedown, part of a private five-day testing window in Barcelona, marked a crucial step for the Silverstone-based outfit, which is undergoing a profound transformation ahead of the sport’s next major regulatory overhaul.
The scrutiny surrounding Aston Martin’s activities during the Barcelona shakedown was notably intense. The team, known for a period of considerable leadership flux in recent seasons, including a revolving door of technical directors, team principals, and CEOs, is now operating under a vastly restructured and expanded framework. This new operational philosophy is particularly focused on optimising for the future, a future that crucially includes the highly anticipated arrival of legendary designer Adrian Newey, whose influence is expected to shape the team’s car development from 2025 onwards, with the AMR26 being the first full manifestation of this new era.
Aston Martin was the last of the participating teams to commence track operations during the Barcelona window, arriving on the Wednesday evening. This timing meant the team elected to forgo at least one of its permitted three days of running, a strategic decision that aligns closely with Newey’s renowned development playbook – a methodology that prioritises pushing design and engineering development to the absolute limit before hitting the track, even if it costs initial track time. The aim is to ensure the car is in its most mature possible state for its debut.
The AMR26’s initial outing was not without its challenges. When the car first emerged from the garage on Thursday afternoon, with Lance Stroll at the wheel, it promptly experienced an issue, grinding to a halt after Stroll had completed only five laps. This early setback underscored the complexities inherent in debuting an entirely new design, particularly one engineered with a view towards future regulations.
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However, the final day of testing saw a marked improvement. Fernando Alonso, the veteran Spaniard whose experience and analytical feedback are invaluable, took over driving duties. Unofficially, Alonso completed 61 laps, providing the team with a substantial amount of data. While the exact number of consecutive laps completed in any given stint was not disclosed, the sheer volume of running represented a significant recovery from the previous day’s difficulties.
"It was good," Alonso stated, reflecting on his session. "Definitely excited to be back in the car after the winter and for us it’s the first day." He acknowledged that some rival teams had already conducted filming days and extensive shakedowns earlier in January, followed by a full week of running in Barcelona. "But for us it was really the very first day so I think we had a positive one," Alonso affirmed. "60-plus laps and the car is responding well so first day and more to come." Alonso’s measured optimism provides a critical early assessment, suggesting that despite the delayed start and initial hiccup, the fundamental characteristics of the AMR26 are sound. His ability to extract maximum performance and provide precise feedback will be crucial as the team progresses.
The AMR26 itself, even in its early shakedown guise, reportedly features a number of intriguing design elements, hints of which were discernible from captured imagery. These features are likely early interpretations of the radical new technical regulations set to be introduced in 2026, which will encompass significant changes to both power unit architecture and aerodynamic philosophy. The regulations aim to promote closer racing and greater sustainability, with a focus on more electric power and entirely sustainable fuels. For Aston Martin, developing a car like the AMR26, which serves as a testbed for these forthcoming rules, represents a massive undertaking.
A pivotal aspect of Aston Martin’s 2026 project is its new relationship with Honda, which will see the Japanese manufacturer become the team’s works power unit supplier. This partnership, announced in May 2023, marks a strategic shift for Aston Martin, moving away from its long-standing customer engine deal with Mercedes. The Honda programme for 2026 is, in itself, an entirely new and independent project. Notably, the engineers responsible for the highly successful power units that propelled Max Verstappen to world championships in 2021 and 2022, before Honda transferred its intellectual property to Red Bull’s in-house powertrain division, have since been redeployed elsewhere within the Honda empire. This means the Aston Martin-Honda collaboration is building a new F1 engine project essentially from the ground up, demanding immense resource allocation and engineering ingenuity.
Further adding to the complexity and ambition of the 2026 project is Aston Martin’s decision to develop and build its own gearbox in-house. For years, the team had relied on purchasing a complete Mercedes powertrain, including the gearbox. While transitioning to an independent gearbox manufacturing capability represents a steep learning curve, it simultaneously unlocks significant design opportunities. Designers are no longer constrained by the suspension mounting points dictated by a customer gearbox, offering greater freedom to integrate the rear suspension and aerodynamics optimally with the chassis, a critical advantage under new regulations.
The presence of Adrian Newey, even in an observational capacity, was a significant talking point during the shakedown. Newey’s official start date with Aston Martin is set for early 2025, but his reputation for pushing development to the absolute last minute, aiming to debut a car in its most refined state possible, resonates deeply with the team’s Barcelona strategy. He was observed patrolling the garage, meticulously scrutinising various aspects of the operation and the car. Alonso’s comments underscored the immediate impact of Newey’s presence. "I think everyone is super motivated when we see him in the garage taking care of all the details," Alonso remarked. "I see all the mechanics, the faces, everyone is looking at him – trying to spot something that maybe he commented about the car or he wants to improve. He’s always teaching us something." This motivational effect, even before his official tenure begins, highlights the transformative influence Newey is expected to bring.
Aston Martin’s recent history has seen substantial investment from owner Lawrence Stroll, including the construction of a state-of-the-art campus in Silverstone and significant recruitment of top engineering talent. The team finished fifth in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, a season in which Fernando Alonso secured eight podium finishes, demonstrating the potential of the current setup. His move to Aston Martin in 2023, following two seasons with Alpine, revitalized his F1 career, proving his enduring speed and strategic acumen. With a career spanning over two decades, 32 Grand Prix victories, and two world titles (2005, 2006), Alonso’s experience is unparalleled, making his feedback on the nascent AMR26 exceptionally valuable.
The Barcelona shakedown of the AMR26 represents more than just an early test; it is a declaration of Aston Martin’s intent for the 2026 regulatory cycle. With a new power unit partner in Honda, an in-house gearbox, a restructured technical team, and the impending arrival of Adrian Newey, the team is laying down foundations for what it hopes will be a consistent front-running challenge. The "first day" for Fernando Alonso and the AMR26, despite its initial stumbles, has been deemed positive, providing crucial early data and a glimpse into a future that Aston Martin is meticulously crafting. The journey towards 2026 has officially begun, marked by ambition and significant technical innovation.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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