It might sound unusual that Formulation 1 groups are unveiling their new liveries after the primary collective check of the season, however that’s what 2026 has introduced with its all-new rules.
This yr there are adjustments to each the automobile chassis and energy unit, in what’s arguably the largest guidelines overhaul in F1 historical past – so extra pre-season dates have been added to assist squads put together.
It began with a five-day personal shakedown in Barcelona (26-30 January), earlier than two upcoming periods in Bahrain (11-13 and 18-20 February) forward of the Melbourne opener in March.
Though the Barcelona shakedown was personal, there have been nonetheless footage and movies to return from it and a few groups ran particular testing liveries having not but launched their official search for the yr.
A type of was Aston Martin, which is launching its AMR26 on Monday, so here’s a take a look at the Silverstone squad and what sort of form it’s in because it enters the marketing campaign.
What’s new at Aston Martin?
There may be rather a lot that’s new on the Aston Martin F1 group, with the largest change regarding the group principal position. For the primary time in his storied, decades-long profession, legendary automobile designer Adrian Newey would be the chief of a group after a administration restructuring on the British marque for 2026.
Adrian Newey
Picture by: Aston Martin
It has seen a number of engineers depart the organisation plus erstwhile boss Andy Cowell transfer right into a chief technique officer position, after insiders advised that he and Newey each disagreed on group operations and the course of 2026 improvement.
Newey finally gained the facility battle and it was no shock, as a result of his hiring for March 2025 was a significant coup and his preliminary position was managing technical companion with the Briton’s sole focus being to guide improvement of the AMR26.
And when it lastly rolled out for the Barcelona shakedown, on the fourth day of the test, the Aston had Newey’s fingerprints throughout it from the distinctive endplate and sidepod design to the entrance suspension bundle with a radical inclination of the higher wishbone.
“Adrian is only a artistic designer,” mentioned Williams boss James Vowles of the AMR26. “It’s actually spectacular what he’s finished with wishbones in locations that I don’t suppose they need to be. However he’s finished them.
“You’ll see it in our entrance wishbone. It’s barely totally different, however the place Adrian’s gone may be very Adrian. Very spectacular, very artistic, very excessive. I wouldn’t need to be the designer for that one. Let’s put it that manner.”
However a Newey-designed automobile, which he hopes will add to the 12 different championship winners he’s had a hand in, isn’t all that’s new: there’s additionally a Honda engine after 16 years of the Silverstone-based squad being a Mercedes buyer.
Honda energy unit
Picture by: Honda
This comes after six profitable years of the Japanese marque powering Crimson Bull – alongside its sister outfit Toro Rosso/Racing Bulls – to 4 drivers’ championships with Max Verstappen, plus two constructors’ titles. The rationale for Honda altering groups is as a result of it truly initially deliberate to go away F1 on the finish of 2021, however then it signed a paid cope with the Austrian outfit to proceed offering technical assist – with Crimson Bull’s engines nonetheless popping out of Japan till 2025.
“We’re a buyer to Honda, we pay for engines by a separate entity of Crimson Bull Powertrains,” said Christian Horner at the time. “It has been an amazing relationship and so they proceed to supply a wonderful service that we pay for, to supply engines for the 4 vehicles.”
The engine rules for 2026 then began to go the best way Honda wished, however by that time it was already too late: Crimson Bull had dedicated to constructing its personal in-house energy items. So in got here Aston Martin and the 2 struck a deal.
It would see Newey reunited with the Japanese marque, however solely time will inform if the transfer pays off for Aston. The squad has ditched what’s thought-about to be the perfect energy unit in F1, but it surely has additionally been elevated to works’ group standing the place the engine is particularly constructed for that chassis.
What’s the largest problem to Aston Martin?
It’d sound unusual to say given Aston Martin completed seventh within the 2025 standings and hasn’t scored a podium for the reason that Brazilian Grand Prix on the finish of 2023, however its greatest problem is delivering on expectations.
Just because Newey’s repute precedes him and when an individual has gained as many titles as him, then folks naturally begin to suppose that he brings computerized success. That’s precisely what’s taking place at Aston Martin.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Group in parc ferme
Picture by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Cue Mercedes star George Russell: “In the mean time it does seem like Crimson Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and ourselves are, let’s say, the 4 groups which can be all fairly shut inside each other. However you’ll be able to’t low cost what you’ve seen from Aston Martin and what Adrian has finished with that automobile.”
So even drivers are already beginning to large up Aston’s possibilities for the yr, predicting it to problem amongst the large boys. However it isn’t simply due to Newey, as billionaire proprietor Lawrence Stroll has reworked the whole enterprise and pumped in vital quantities of funding with a brand new high-tech campus being one instance.
For a very long time there’s additionally been discuss of 2026 being the group’s golden alternative to start out combating for wins, with title glory to observe in 2027. Aston additionally has world champion Fernando Alonso to boast so all of it seems to be good on the floor, however whether or not it may possibly truly ship is one other matter.
To start with, Newey recently revealed that the team was four months late in starting its 2026 wind tunnel programme and there was discuss of its automobile being chubby. On high of that, whereas its rivals, bar Williams, have been capable of begin the Barcelona shakedown on time, Aston didn’t seem till day 4 with it thus finishing the least mileage.
The best way it additionally declined from being a podium common at first of 2023 to agency midfield fighter two years later exhibits troubles with the way it can sufficiently improve a automobile, so one other problem can be to beat that and develop on the price through which it must be a constant frontrunner.
What’s the strongest asset to Aston Martin?
The apparent reply is Newey and who might argue that given his observe document, however for the sake of originality let’s go for Alonso – as a result of he additionally brings lots to the organisation. To be doing what he’s doing on the age of 44 is outstanding, as a result of the Spaniard remains to be on the identical common tempo as drivers 20 years his junior and has proven what he can do when given the instruments.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Picture by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Simply take a look at this begin to 2023 with six podiums in eight grands prix, and even how he managed fifth in Hungary final yr en path to a top-10 championship end result. The one factor that’s stopping him from reaching extra success is the automobile, as Alonso clearly nonetheless has it and the non-driving features that he’ll carry – corresponding to expertise with suggestions and enter into creating a automobile – can be invaluable to the group.
Nevertheless, there may be the plain caveat that he’s achieved such outcomes alongside a weaker team-mate in Lance Stroll, who has failed to complete greater than the two-time F1 champion since becoming a member of forces in 2023. So whether or not Alonso is performing precisely as he needs to be, or is in reality maximising the automobile, is a giant query mark.
What’s the aim in F1 2026 for Aston Martin?
The instant aim for Aston Martin is to return to the state it was at first of 2023, when it was the closest challenger to the dominant Crimson Bull. Life was unbelievable for the British squad again then, clearly delivering on the hype which comes with vital funding and it appeared forward of its personal curve in reaching success.
However then its rivals out-developed the group all through the season and the inevitable decline got here, with simply two podiums for Alonso within the remaining 14 grands prix of the marketing campaign and none since.
Clearly, one doesn’t anticipate Aston to out of the blue be the second-best group once more, but it surely wants to point out vital enhancements and be able to difficult final yr’s high 4 groups for podiums.
As a result of if the British marque can’t obtain that on this new period, the place every thing resets, then when can it?
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