Jonas Leo
Fernando Alonso has publicly reaffirmed his profound confidence in Aston Martin’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, asserting that the revered designer has not "forgotten" his unparalleled ability to craft a championship-winning Formula 1 car, despite a challenging pre-season for the Silverstone-based squad ahead of the seismic 2026 regulation changes. The Spanish double world champion’s remarks come as Aston Martin navigates a difficult preparatory phase, marked by developmental setbacks and limited track time, casting an early shadow over a season anticipated with high expectations.
The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to introduce a sweeping overhaul of technical regulations, particularly impacting power units and aerodynamics, which is expected to fundamentally reset the competitive landscape. This regulatory shift presents both immense opportunities and significant risks for all ten teams on the grid. For Aston Martin, the transition is particularly critical, as the team embarked on this new era with ambitious targets, fortified by a new works partnership with Honda for its power units and the high-profile acquisition of Newey, arguably the most successful designer in F1 history, who joined the team in early 2025.
However, the initial phase of the 2026 car’s development has been fraught with difficulties for Aston Martin. The genesis of these challenges can be traced back to a four-month delay in the team’s wind tunnel program, which commenced in mid-April 2025. In the highly competitive and time-sensitive environment of Formula 1, such a delay in fundamental aerodynamic development can have cascading effects throughout the entire design and validation process, putting the team significantly behind its rivals from the outset.
These early developmental hurdles manifested acutely during the collective pre-season shakedowns. At the initial shakedown event in Barcelona, Aston Martin was notably late to take to the track, only making its debut on day four. This restricted their mileage considerably compared to other teams, limiting crucial data acquisition and initial reliability checks on the new machinery. The trend of limited track time continued into the more comprehensive Bahrain test. Day one saw Lance Stroll’s running severely curtailed by a power unit problem, restricting the Canadian driver to a mere 36 laps. Further mechanical issues plagued the team on day three, causing them to miss a substantial portion of the session. While Alonso managed a more productive day two, completing 98 laps, his lap times were reportedly the second slowest among the field, fueling concerns about the car’s outright pace.
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The accumulated setbacks led to a notably downbeat assessment from Lance Stroll, who, in an interview, suggested the team was "four seconds off" the expected pace, a stark indication of the gap they perceive to their competitors. This sentiment starkly contrasts with the pre-season optimism that often accompanies such significant regulatory changes and the arrival of a figure like Newey.
Adrian Newey’s career in Formula 1 spans over three decades, during which he has designed cars that have secured an astonishing 12 Constructors’ Championships and multiple Drivers’ Championships across various teams, including Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. His designs are renowned for their aerodynamic brilliance and innovative solutions, earning him a legendary status in the paddock. His decision to join Aston Martin was heralded as a potential game-changer, signalling the team’s serious intent to challenge for top honours. This background forms the bedrock of Alonso’s unwavering faith.
"Especially on the chassis side, there is no question mark on that," Alonso stated when questioned about his confidence in the team. "The power unit, it’s a little bit more difficult because we don’t have good understanding yet on the regulations and what is needed. But on the chassis side, after 30-plus years of Adrian dominating the sport, it’s not that he will forget everything in one year."
Alonso’s distinction between the chassis and power unit aspects highlights the complex nature of the 2026 regulations. While Newey’s expertise primarily lies in aerodynamic and mechanical chassis design, the new power unit regulations represent a fresh challenge for all manufacturers. Aston Martin’s new works partnership with Honda, while promising long-term benefits, also means integrating an entirely new powertrain into Newey’s chassis concept, a process that inherently carries risks and requires extensive development time.
"I don’t know where we are now in terms of chassis and grip level, but even if we are not at 100 now, we will be at 100 soon because we will fix any problem on the power unit," Alonso continued, projecting a long-term view. "We need to give time and understand where we are and, if we are behind, get better as soon as possible." His perspective, born from decades of F1 experience, suggests a pragmatic acceptance of initial difficulties coupled with resolute belief in the team’s capacity for recovery, particularly under Newey’s guidance.
Aston Martin ambassador and former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa echoed Alonso’s sentiments, providing further insight into Newey’s transformative impact on the team’s internal dynamics and culture. "We are the same people, we are the same; it’s just the fact that since Adrian has arrived, his leadership is unquestionable," de la Rosa commented during the Bahrain test. He specifically highlighted Newey’s response to the difficult first day of testing in Bahrain. "I felt it, for example, yesterday, after a very difficult day testing here in Bahrain, he spoke on the technical debrief, and his leadership is so strong that all the team knows exactly what they have to do."
De la Rosa elaborated on the profound shift in the team’s operational approach, emphasizing the clarity and unified direction Newey has instilled. "This is very different from previous years, where everyone could have their own theory about things. Adrian is very clear what has to be done, and no one raises their hand to question him. Therefore, you have this massive amount of resources working in one single direction." This singular focus, under the guidance of a proven master, is seen as a critical asset, especially when confronted with adversity. "I know it might not sound convincing to you, but believe me, sitting there and listening to this moment was very inspiring for all of us. Especially when things go wrong. When things go right, we don’t need a leader. It’s when things go wrong."
Despite the challenging pre-season, de la Rosa maintains that panic has not set in at Silverstone. "I think it’s a turning point, having Adrian in the team," he affirmed. "We are not happy, let’s be honest. No one is happy when you are second slower than what you were expecting. But it’s true as well to say that no one is worried. It’s different. We are not happy, but we are not like, ‘Oh, this is it, no, no way’." This nuanced view suggests a long-term strategic outlook within Aston Martin, where immediate setbacks are viewed as part of a larger developmental curve, rather than insurmountable obstacles, particularly with Newey steering the technical direction.
Aston Martin’s significant investment in new facilities at its Silverstone campus, coupled with the long-term vision of owner Lawrence Stroll to transform the team into a front-runner, underscores the high stakes associated with the 2026 season. The current difficulties are undoubtedly a test of that resolve and the effectiveness of the leadership structure now in place. As the F1 world anticipates the start of the 2026 season, all eyes will be on how quickly Newey’s design philosophy and leadership can translate into competitive performance on track, and whether Alonso’s unwavering confidence will be ultimately vindicated. The road ahead for Aston Martin remains challenging, but the belief in their technical maestro appears to be the bedrock of their optimism.
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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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