Fernando Alonso reflects on working with Adrian Newey after Aston Martin AMR26 debut. Fernando Alonso reflects on Aston Martin’s first AMR26 test in Barcelona.

61 laps for the Aston Martin AMR26

On the final day of testing in Barcelona, Fernando Alonso completed 61 laps at the wheel of the Aston Martin AMR26, which arrived at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the final two days of shakedown running.

The new car, the first Aston Martin designed under the technical direction of Adrian Newey for Lawrence Stroll’s team, immediately attracted attention in the paddock. From a purely lap-time perspective, Fernando Alonso remained some distance away from the very top, but outright performance was never the priority at this stage, especially for Aston Martin, which has only finished assembling the car in recent weeks.

In Barcelona, the focus was instead on completing mileage, checking systems and ensuring that everything functioned correctly on a car that is entirely new in concept and execution.

“It’s exciting to start the season again, especially this year when everything is new with Newey and Honda,” Fernando Alonso said. “The effort the team has put in over the last few weeks to be here in Barcelona has been truly impressive. The other teams had already completed their filming days, whereas for us this was really the first time the car had actually been fully assembled.

“The day went well, I was able to complete a good number of laps and everything worked as it should. Newey always teaches us something; all of us are constantly watching him to see what his reactions are.”

Fernando Alonso’s debut behind the wheel of the AMR26 marks the beginning of a highly anticipated technical era for Aston Martin, where the combined genius of Adrian Newey and the power of Honda represent a clear threat to the established order. While the 61 laps completed in Barcelona were more about system validation than speed, Alonso’s comments highlight a renewed sense of inspiration within the garage as they adapt to Adrian Newey’s unique working methods. By successfully navigating their first “on-track assembly” and ensuring all systems are functional, the team has cleared a significant logistical hurdle just in time for the more intensive testing scheduled in Bahrain. As the 2026 season approaches, the paddock will be watching closely to see if the “lessons” Newey is providing can transform Aston Martin from a mid-field challenger into a genuine front-running powerhouse.