P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alonso claims Aston Martin tweaks could reduce HUGE time deficit
Fernando Alonso is optimistic that Aston Martin can improve before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite their lackluster performance during testing in Bahrain last week. The team finished as the slowest, with Lance Stroll suggesting they were 4.5 seconds off the pace of the fastest cars. Alonso expressed frustration with the situation, as the AMR26 seemed difficult to handle and lacked power compared to rivals. With a new engine partnership with Honda, Alonso believes the team still has a lot to learn and can make significant progress before the season opener in Melbourne on March 8. The second week of Bahrain testing takes place from February 18 to 20, with hopes of improvements for Aston Martin.
