P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aston Martin has indicated that it might start F1 2026 “a bit behind” its rivals – but it insists that won’t define its campaign
Aston Martin has acknowledged the possibility of starting the 2026 Formula 1 season at a slight disadvantage compared to its competitors, but remains optimistic about the overall campaign.
There are uncertainties surrounding the performance of the new Honda-powered AMR26, prompting Fernando Alonso to emphasize the importance of long-term strategy for the year.
Despite potential weaknesses revealed during the upcoming Bahrain tests, Aston Martin is confident in its ability to make significant improvements to both the car and engine throughout the season.
Alonso has downplayed early expectations, emphasizing that early setbacks are not indicative of the project’s ultimate success or failure in progressing in F1.
The team’s late livery reveal and limited testing time have put Aston Martin behind in understanding its package compared to rivals, with concerns about Honda’s engine performance adding to the challenges.
Looking ahead, Alonso stresses the importance of focusing on continuous development throughout the season rather than solely on the initial races, as the intense rate of evolution in F1 this year will likely shape outcomes later on.
