Aston Martin continues to struggle in Bahrain pre-season testing with their issues continuing into Day 2. Tension surrounding the car’s performance has appeared to boil over for some as the team faces an uphill battle to recover lost ground.
Technical troubles amid a new era
2026 was seen as the year in which Aston Martin could challenge the front-runners and compete for podiums.
The arrival of Adrian Newey sparked a new found hope and optimism into a team that seemed devoid of ideas and unable to move forward.
The legendary designer boasts 15 championship winning cars, including the RB19 which won 21 of 22 races in 2023.
Now the 67 year-old arrives at Aston Martin, depicted as the man who can steer the team to the front of the pack.
Initially joining as a technical partner Newey has found himself quickly promoted to the role of team principle. Confidence remained high throughout the summer break despite initial delays to the car’s programme.
But, as the date for the Barcelona shakedown approached, it became evident that the team was struggling with additional issues.
While the other teams got underway in Barcelona, Aston Martin remained nowhere to be seen and concerns began to arise as to if the team would even make the test.
On day 3 the AMR26 finally broke cover. Sporting an all black livery, the car quickly caught the attention of many. Mercedes’ George Russell described the car as “pretty spectacular” while Williams Team Principle James Vowels commented on the “interesting” design.
But the initial awe quickly evaporated as, just minutes into its debut, Lance Stroll pulled the car off with an engine issue, curtailing the team’s opening session.
Reliability concerns but optimism prevelant
The team’s shortened testing appearance and radical design turned heads in the paddock.
The car looked impressive: an aggressive push rod suspension, intriguing sidepods design and nose and cooling vents that contrasted those seen on rival cars.
Newey even described his latest creation as “one of the more extreme interpretations,” of the new set of regulations.
But as the team arrived in Bahrain for the first of two three-day tests, the team’s concerns that had been teased in Barcelona became painfully evident.
The AMR26 may have been impressive but the Honda engine is less so.
Issues were clear from the start; the power unit was clearly slow, with Honda explaining that it was due to precautionary but necessary power reductions.
The opening day of testing saw the team manage just 36 laps all day, the fewest of any team.
Meanwhile, Williams (who missed the entire Barcelona shakedown due to delays) racked up the most laps of any team with 145.
The contrast between the two teams acted as a stark reminder to the two ends of the spectrum that the teams had ended upon despite starting in similar positions.
While Williams missed the entire Barcelona shakedown, the Grove-based team has shown a collective urge to make up the lost ground.
Aston Martin, on the other hand, continue to show the signs of a disjointed team in turmoil.
A poor running on the opening day of Bahrain testing was compounded by a lack of pace on the second day.
134 laps across the two days means the Silverstone based team holds the record for the fewest number of laps completed by a team so far in the test.
Optimism and encouragement from Newey and Alonso
Adrian Newey has been quick to address the fact that it is inevitable the delay to the AMR26’s testing schedule will impact the team.
“It’s bound to, to be perfectly honest,” admitted Newey to Sky Sports. “We got in the tunnel mid to late April, as opposed to January 2 for everybody else.”
“But more than that, everybody else has been working on their CFD [Computational Fluid Dynamics] and general layouts and mechanical layouts way before us. So we are starting on the back foot but we’ll do our best to catch up.”
Fernando Alonso echoed Newey’s hopeful tone adding that the team needed to “walk before running.”
“Our biggest challenge is gluing everything, and timing, especially for me. Coming from seventh in the Constructors’ Championship last year, we need to walk before running and we need to make the steps one at a time.”
“We are competitors, we want to win, we want to fight for big things, and I think that requires a little bit of time, but we want to make this as short as possible.”
Frustration or immaturity
Alonso’s mature approach to what is a very difficult situation starkly contrasts the attitude of his teammate, Lance Stroll.
The 27 year-old, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, was animated as he claimed that the team was “four seconds off,” the pace after the second day of testing.
“We have engine problems and non-engine problem,” lamented Stroll. “We’re not in a position to fight for wins Now we need to try and find four seconds of performance.”
The Canadian, who embarks on his tenth season in the sport, has become renowned for his behaviour, often portraying him as an immature child.
Disrespectful behaviour in interviews along with regular outbursts have become a common feature for the Aston Martin driver.
Yet it was the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix that highlighted the extent of his behaviour. The 27 year-old was pictured throwing his steering wheel and shoving his race engineer following the race.
Fans we’re quick to vocalise their disgust at his behaviour and Stroll seemingly has made no attempt to rectify his actions.
Silverstone 2025 was another talking point. A characteristic outburst concerning the car’s performances led former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher to claim he “questioned his (Stroll’s) morals”.
Stroll’s latest damming statement underlines a deeper issue that is rooted within Aston Martin. The Silverstone based team appear blind to the impact that Stroll’s position is having.
The damage to moral that Stroll’s language and statements will be doing cannot be underestimated. Mechanics who work for long hours hearing such criticism will, undoubtably, be disheartened.
Along with this, the Canadian’s poor performances and lack of results will financially be holding the team back.
Every position hands teams more money for development. As Stroll continues to stay in his teammate’s shadows the financial effect cannot be underestimated.
Yet, despite the behaviour and poor performances, the 27 year-old (who will take part in his 200th race in Barcelona) continues to be an ever-present figure on the F1 grid.
An impending disaster?
Stroll’s attitude will be an additional concern for Newey. An underperforming car with a driver who continues to demoralise his team is a recipe for disaster.
On top of this Newey will be aware that his presence carries a weight of expectation.
Having designed championship dominant Red Bull cars Newey will be greatly aware of the pressure on his shoulders.
Newey has worked with Honda for numerous seasons at Red Bull. Despite this, the performance of his power unit manufacturers will be cause for worry.
Along with this, Stroll’s persistent negativity and lack of encouragement will be having a dramatic impact on the team.
Alonso’s optimistic tone will only go so far within the Aston Martin camp and with just one driver encouraging the team questions begin to arrise.
How long does Stroll have left? What can Newey do to save the team’s season? How big a setback is this for the team and will this leave a scar for seasons to come?
Feature image courtesy of Formula One