First tensions at Aston Martin, incompatibility between Cowell and Newey?
From the paddock of Sakhir come troubling rumors regarding Aston Martin’s first car designed by Adrian Newey, the AMR26. The drivers appear frustrated. Lance Stroll stated that he sees the team about four seconds off the pace, while it is reported that Fernando Alonso was seen throwing his gloves to the ground immediately after exiting the car, a gesture of frustration that speaks for itself.
Initially, everyone was excited by the car’s striking, aggressive, and extreme design choices made by Adrian Newey. However, after just two days of work, the project is already being described as problematic, requiring urgent attention. The cooling system may be undersized for the Honda power unit, which explains why Fernando Alonso ran with a significantly more open engine cover today compared to the one used by Lance Stroll during his debut yesterday.
Speculation of departures and internal disagreements
The Spanish driver finally completed a respectable number of laps—98 in total—but his feedback suggests that driving impressions are far from positive. Rumors add further confirmation to the difficult period Aston Martin is experiencing, suggesting that Andy Cowell, CEO and team principal, might be ready to step down as early as June.
According to PlanetF1.com, the British engineer and manager reportedly feels somewhat sidelined and has had disagreements with Adrian Newey on key decisions regarding the AMR26. This has fueled speculation about internal tensions within the team.
In response, Aston Martin quickly issued an official statement, affirming that “Cowell is fully engaged in carrying out his role within the team.”
Early season concerns
So far, this is clearly not the start of the season that either the team or Formula 1 fans had expected. Mercedes has long been considered the favorite, but many were counting on Adrian Newey’s car as a potential challenger. As of February 12, with the second of six scheduled test days in Bahrain just completed, it may simply be a slow start. However, the team will need to stay united and overcome these early difficulties together.
The fact that these rumors are circulating suggests that the issues could be more serious than initially assumed. Aston Martin must now focus on resolving technical challenges with the AMR26, maintaining driver confidence, and ensuring internal cohesion as the season progresses.
The brewing storm at Aston Martin highlights the huge pressure of the 2026 technical revolution, where the marriage of elite engineering minds and works power units is proving difficult to manage. If the friction between Newey and Cowell is indeed affecting the AMR26’s performance, the Silverstone squad must find a resolution quickly to avoid a total collapse of their championship ambitions.
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