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Adrian Newey reveals Aston Martin’s shocking delay: AMR26 development starts from behind in F1 2026

James Taylor by James Taylor
February 5, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Adrian Newey reveals Aston Martin’s shocking delay: AMR26 development starts from behind in F1 2026

Aston Martin’s AMR26: A Race Against Time as Development Lags Behind Rivals!

In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind Aston Martin’s AMR26, has openly admitted that the team is playing catch-up in the development race for the pivotal 2026 season. Aston Martin, once a promising contender, found itself a staggering four months behind its competitors, leading to a tumultuous start in Barcelona during the first pre-season test.

The drama unfolded when it was disclosed that Aston Martin would miss the initial phase of ‘Shakedown Week’ at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a critical opportunity for teams to fine-tune their machines. This setback was confirmed just days after the initial reports, revealing that the team would only be able to test during the final two days of the event. The AMR26, driven by Lance Stroll and later by Fernando Alonso, finally made its long-awaited debut on the penultimate afternoon, but not without consequences.

With the clock ticking, Aston Martin could only clock in 54 laps during the test, a dismal figure that placed them at the bottom of the lap count, well behind their nearest rival Cadillac, which completed a staggering 154 laps. This delayed start has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the team’s readiness for the upcoming season.

The AMR26 is particularly significant as it marks the first collaboration between Aston Martin and the legendary designer Newey, who joined the team in March of last year. This alignment coincides with Aston Martin’s new technical partnership with Honda, a former engine supplier to Red Bull, adding another layer of complexity to their preparations.

Newey, reflecting on the challenging landscape of F1 in 2026, stated, “2026 is probably the first time in the history of F1 that the power unit regulations and chassis regulations have changed at the same time.” This dual overhaul presents a colossal challenge, especially for a team already struggling to keep pace. He elaborated on the hurdles faced, lamenting, “It’s been a very compressed timescale and an extremely busy 10 months.”

The designer revealed that Aston Martin didn’t even have a model of the AMR26 ready for wind tunnel testing until mid-April, while competitors had models in the wind tunnel from the very start of the aero testing ban lift in January. This critical delay has left Aston Martin with a “very, very compressed research and design cycle.” As Newey put it, “That put us on the back foot by about four months, which meant the car only came together at the last minute.”

As the AMR26 rolled out for its inaugural run, Newey couldn’t hide his nerves, admitting, “Whenever a car is about to hit the track for the first time, it’s always a nervous moment.” The team’s relentless effort to prepare the car has been commendable, but the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Newey emphasized that the initial days on track were crucial for understanding the car’s behavior and completing essential systems checks before the pre-season testing in Bahrain.

With the spotlight now firmly on Aston Martin, fans and stakeholders alike are left wondering: Can this iconic team turn their fate around in time for the upcoming season? The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting as the F1 world watches closely. Will Aston Martin rise from the ashes, or will the AMR26’s rocky start spell disaster? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the race has only just begun!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-2026-seasonAdrian NeweyAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance Stroll
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