F1 | Aston Martin still struggling in testing: Adrian Newey explains some design choices
Adrian Newey has spoken about Aston Martin, which continues to face difficulties during the second week of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain. The team was expected to be one of the major surprises of the 2026 season. Instead, Aston Martin has so far become one of the biggest disappointments of the pre-season, with ongoing problems slowing down the work program for both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. After just fifty-four laps completed by the team led by Adrian Newey on the fourth of six testing days in Bahrain, the start of the season already appears more complicated than initially anticipated.
Adrian Newey on the design choices behind the 2026 Aston Martin
During Day 1 of the second week of testing, the new Team Principal of Lawrence Stroll’s squad discussed the choices made during the car’s development.
“For now, our car seems to be a bit different from the others. It feels like we’re back in 2022, when there were different aerodynamic interpretations. Which one will turn out to be the right approach will only be revealed over time. We haven’t had much time available, which is why we chose a certain path and will continue down that route,”
Adrian Newey explained to the BBC.
The former Red Bull technical mastermind also commented on the environment he encountered at Aston Martin.
“In these first few months, I have met many very talented people who, however, were not working well together. So I focused specifically on improving this aspect.”
Adrian Newey’s remarks highlight that Aston Martin’s early struggles are not only technical but also organizational, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in developing a competitive car. Despite the setbacks, the team remains committed to refining the 2026 car and optimizing performance before the season officially begins.
The 2026 season is proving to be a trial by fire for Aston Martin, but with Adrian Newey at the helm explaining that their unique aerodynamic direction was a calculated choice, the team remains committed to its long-term vision. While internal restructuring and early-season reliability issues have slowed their progress in Bahrain, the focus now shifts to whether this “different” design can eventually unlock the performance needed to challenge the established front-runners.
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