Aston Martin has confirmed the difficulties that have been emerging during the Bahrain pre-season tests, admitting that the AMR26 currently “lacks pace.” Adrian Newey’s car seems not to have started the season on the right foot, with many of the issues possibly linked to the Honda Power Unit supplying the English team’s car. Regardless, Aston Martin is encountering significant challenges in these Bahrain sessions, and the team has openly acknowledged its current position.
Today, Fernando Alonso managed to complete 98 laps, an impressive number that allows the team to collect crucial data on the car’s behavior. The squad had already lost a substantial portion of the Barcelona tests and cannot afford to waste more time during the Sakhir sessions, where every lap counts in preparation for the season opener.
Aston Martin admits its difficulties
The AMR26 had previously impressed with its bold and extreme solutions spotted in Barcelona. However, for Aston Martin, things are not entirely positive, as the Bahrain testing is highlighting multiple areas of concern. The team even had to replace the engine after the first day, during which Lance Stroll was on track.
“We managed to complete 98 laps with Fernando in the car. With these new regulations, every lap counts, and we don’t have much time left before Melbourne,” said trackside director Mike Krack. “Even though these are just tests, we know we are lacking pace; there are aspects we know we need to improve and develop.”
This candid admission confirms the drivers’ perception, evident from Lance Stroll’s frustrations and Fernando Alonso’s gestures during the day. Nonetheless, the team is actively working to try and correct the issues and ensure a stronger start to a season that may have begun on the wrong foot.
“Everyone on the team is working at full capacity to make sure we are in the best possible shape for the race. Lance will be back in the car tomorrow, and we will continue to collect data and learn as much as possible,” Mike Krack added.
Overall, the 2026 season opener in Melbourne is looking like a formidable challenge for the Silverstone-based outfit. With reliability issues already forcing engine changes and the drivers clearly feeling the performance deficit, the final day of testing will be critical. Aston Martin must find answers quickly if they want to avoid a long and difficult start to the new era of Formula 1 racing.
Leave a Reply