Alonso describes 'very special' first run in Newey-designed Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso called his first experience driving Adrian Newey's debut Aston Martin Formula 1 car "very special," highlighting the intense effort to get the 2026 contender ready for its delayed Barcelona test. The two-time champion was buoyed by a "super motivated" team atmosphere as the new technical era begins.

Why it matters:

This marks a pivotal moment for Aston Martin's ambitious project. After securing the sport's most celebrated designer, Adrian Newey, and naming him Team Principal, the team's 2026 car is the first tangible product of this new direction. Alonso's immediate positive feedback is a crucial early morale boost for a team aiming to transform from a midfield contender into a consistent front-runner.

The details:

• The AMR26's track debut was delayed, with the team only running on the final two days of the Barcelona test after a frantic build-up at the factory.
• Alonso emphasized the collective effort, stating, "the last two weeks have been very, very intense... We just made it to Barcelona in the last two days, so it's a tremendous effort from everyone."
• The car represents a confluence of new partnerships: the first designed by Newey for Aston Martin, built in conjunction with new power unit supplier Honda, and with title sponsor Aramco.
• Alonso also referred to Newey as the "teacher," indicating a collaborative and learning-focused environment within the team's new structure.

What's next:

All focus now shifts to the final pre-season test in Bahrain. The limited running in Barcelona means the team has a compressed schedule to understand the new car's performance and reliability before the season opener. Alonso's excitement and the team's evident motivation set a positive tone, but the true competitive picture will only become clear under the lights of Sakhir.