Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin set to be quickest … Adrian Newey will not ‘overlook anything’

Fernando Alonso is confident that Adrian Newey’s technical guidance will lead Aston Martin to have the top car on the grid.

The new Aston Martin has been one of the most eagerly awaited Formula 1 cars for 2026, following Newey’s joining the team in March of the previous year and a new power unit supply agreement with Honda under the sport’s updated technical regulations.

However, Newey recently disclosed that the wind tunnel testing for the car commenced four months later than that of its competitors, and the team also encountered the challenge of creating its own gearboxes for the first time since the mid-2000s.

As a result of delays in the car’s construction, Aston Martin forfeited more than half of its track time during the season’s opening test in Barcelona, and the AMR26 was over four seconds off the pace during last week’s test in Bahrain.

Nonetheless, Alonso asserts that significant advancements are still forthcoming for the new car, and he has complete faith in Newey’s capability to direct the design of the fastest chassis on the grid.

“The car for Melbourne will be quite different,” Alonso stated. “I have seen some images, and Adrian mentioned this at the launch as well.

“We have a person [in Newey] who, after more than 30 years in Formula 1, has been a dominant force in the sport throughout that time, so eventually we will possess the best car. It’s just a matter of time, but we aim to achieve that as soon as possible.”

Alonso suggested that Honda’s development, rather than Aston Martin’s, could be the limiting factor for the team this season.

The Japanese manufacturer lost nearly a year of development under the new regulations after initially planning to exit the sport before being persuaded to collaborate with Aston Martin starting in 2026.

“The power units are a bit more challenging because we do not yet have a solid understanding of the regulations and what is required,” Alonso added. “However, there are no uncertainties regarding the chassis. After over 30 years of Adrian excelling in the sport, it’s not as if he will forget everything in just one year.

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“I am unsure of our current position in terms of chassis and grip level, but even if we are not at full capacity now, we will reach that point soon because we will address any issues with the power unit. I believe we need to allow time to assess our situation. If we find ourselves behind, we must improve as quickly as possible.”

Former F1 driver and Aston Martin team representative, Pedro de la Rosa, stated that the team is aware of the reasons for its sluggish start and is already devising a strategy to address the problems.

“Hindsight is always easy, but saying ‘we should have’ does not apply in motorsport,” he remarked. “If we had possibly started earlier, if Adrian had been here before March 2, a few months earlier, if Honda had not left [F1] and then returned. It’s all hypothetical.

“The bottom line is, we are slow, we are not where we want to be, so let’s formulate a plan. We know precisely what is wrong, and we will work on it.”

De la Rosa also commended Newey’s leadership and vision since the renowned F1 designer assumed the role of team principal over the winter.

“Since Adrian’s arrival, his leadership is beyond question,” de la Rosa noted. “For instance, after a particularly challenging day of testing in Bahrain, he spoke during the technical debrief, and his leadership is so strong that the entire team understands exactly what needs to be done.

“This is a significant change from previous years, where everyone could have their own theories about matters. Adrian is very clear about what must be accomplished. No one raises their hand to question him.

“As a result, you have a vast amount of resources working in a unified direction. I understand it may not sound convincing to you, but believe me, sitting there listening to his remarks was very inspiring. Especially when things go awry; when things go well, a leader is not as necessary.”

Source: espn.com