Aston Martin could be looking at a rough start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine them outperforming newcomers Audi and Cadillac.
They managed just 65 laps during the Barcelona Shakedown – the lowest total of any of the 10 teams, and only just made it onto the track in time.
The car currently looks slow, unreliable, and tough to handle. Honda, their engine supplier, are behind where they need to be, and there are early concerns that Adrian Newey’s design might be too ambitious.
Fernando Alonso’s close associate doesn’t hold back on Aston Martin’s 2026 outlook
On the second day, Fernando Alonso was spotted throwing his gloves in frustration after one of his stints behind the wheel.
He hasn’t won a race since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix but is still hoping for another shot at a world title before he retires. That hope is what keeps him racing at 44.
But Spanish F1 commentator Antonio Lobato says someone close to Alonso is already expecting ‘another year in hell’ after watching how Aston Martin have performed so far. In eight of the last nine seasons, he has finished ninth or lower in the standings.
Lobato told SoyMotor: “I’ve spoken with someone from Fernando’s circle, and they told me: ‘Another year in hell, another year of suffering’.”
This could be his final season in F1, although he has previously made it clear that he wants to end his career on a positive note.
Trackside observations paint a troubling picture for Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 car
The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm, observing from the side of the track during Bahrain testing, described it as the most challenging to handle among the field.
He noted that the number of lock-ups, both front and rear, was unusually high and stood out even among struggling teams.
Despite Aston Martin’s poor start to 2026, Sky Sports’ David Croft believes Adrian Newey is still capable of getting things back on track. But this is Newey’s first go as a team principal, and it comes with a lot more responsibility than he’s used to.
Claire Williams has pointed out that it wouldn’t make sense for Aston Martin to pull him away from car design just yet. Still, Newey will need to manage increased scrutiny from both media and fans going forward.
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