Adrian Newey's first Aston Martin car debuts, but Martin Brundle raises key questions

Adrian Newey's highly anticipated first car for Aston Martin, the AMR26, made its delayed debut at the Barcelona shakedown, immediately standing out with a unique design. However, Sky Sports pundit and former driver Martin Brundle has raised significant questions about whether Newey has the right technical support around him and expressed concerns about the team's new Honda power unit partnership.

Why it matters:

Newey's move to Aston Martin is one of the biggest technical stories of the F1 2026 season, with the legendary designer expected to transform the team's fortunes. His ability to quickly adapt and deliver a competitive car will test the team's entire infrastructure and determine if Aston Martin can leap from the midfield to consistent podium challengers, fulfilling the ambitions of drivers like Fernando Alonso.

The details:

• The AMR26 debuted late on the fourth day of the Barcelona shakedown, with Lance Stroll completing its first run before a precautionary stoppage for a potential electrical issue.
• The car's design immediately caught attention for being strikingly different from most other 2026 cars, featuring a double-pushrod suspension and distinct nose, sidepod, and engine cover treatments.
• Martin Brundle, who spoke with Newey, highlighted two major question marks. First, he questioned whether Newey has the right people and tools around him at Aston Martin to properly interpret his ideas and achieve good correlation with their wind tunnel.
• Second, Brundle relayed Newey's own comment that new engine partner Honda is "having to play catch-up" after initially planning to leave F1 before recommitting, which could impact initial power unit performance and reliability.
• Brundle noted that the car's late arrival was classic Newey behavior, as the designer is "legendary for not wanting to sign things off" and always pushes development to the absolute last minute to maximize performance.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the AMR26's performance in pre-season testing and the early races. The true test will be whether Newey's radical design philosophy meshes with Aston Martin's manufacturing and operational capabilities. If the car is "pretty handy," as Brundle expects, it could validate the massive investment in Newey and signal a new competitive era for the team. If not, it may expose gaps in the team's technical structure that need urgent addressing.