Aston Martin prioritized the development of their 2026 car during the 2025 Formula 1 season, accepting a lower position in the championship. After finishing fifth in 2024, the team dropped to seventh in the standings.
2026: a fresh start
However, Fernando Alonso supported the team’s decision and is excited for the upcoming season. “We changed focus around April. I’m optimistic because it’s a kind of reset,” he said.
“In a situation like this, everyone has the chance to do better than the others. You start from zero, and that always gives hope. Now the new structures are ready, and we have our wind tunnel,” Fernando Alonso explained.
For 2026, the British team will have an exclusive partnership with Honda, which will supply the engines. This agreement is also linked to the recent hiring of team principal Adrian Newey.
On this, Fernando Alonso added: “Aramco, Adrian Newey… there are many reasons to be optimistic, but this is an extremely competitive sport, and everyone is working very well. We’ll see.”
Despite his optimism, the Spaniard acknowledges that a fresh start also brings surprises. “I think in the first three or four months, a lot will happen: when you start discovering the cars, you understand the directions and philosophies chosen by each team. In the first two or three races, you learn a huge amount.”
“I think we have the people, the structures, and the environment to have a good season. Now it depends on us,” he concluded.
The 44-year-old is feeling positive about the upcoming season. However, these are just impressions, as the first real signals will only come during pre-season testing. Each team has developed its car in its own way, and the first races will be crucial to adjust and refine the setup.
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