Alonso's first verdict on Newey's Aston Martin: 'A lot of work to do'

Fernando Alonso completed his first laps in the Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin AMR26 during the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, describing the run as a "special moment" but admitting the team faces significant work before the season opener. The two-time champion managed 49 laps, though his best time was over four seconds off the leading pace, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead for the new partnership.

Why it matters:

This shakedown marks the first tangible product of the highly anticipated union between F1 design legend Adrian Newey and Aston Martin. After a late arrival to testing, the team's immediate performance gap confirms that translating Newey's theoretical expertise into on-track success will be a process, not an instant fix. For Alonso, now in the twilight of his career, this project represents his final major opportunity to fight for a third world championship.

The details:

• Alonso took over driving duties from teammate Lance Stroll on the final day of the Barcelona test, completing a solid mileage program deemed the "main priority."
• His fastest lap of 1:20.795 was 4.447 seconds slower than Lewis Hamilton's pace-setting Ferrari, with only Valtteri Bottas in the Cadillac lapping slower on that day.
• The run provided Alonso with his first experience of a car penned by Newey, who now serves as Aston Martin's team principal, following the designer's high-profile move from Red Bull.
• While satisfied with the reliability and data gathered, Alonso's comments were tempered with realism, emphasizing the early stage of development for the new car under the 2026 regulations.

What's next:

The clock is ticking for Aston Martin to analyze the data from Barcelona and find performance before the season begins in Melbourne on March 8. All eyes will be on whether Newey's influence can accelerate the team's development curve and close the gap to the established front-runners. Alonso's vast experience with regulation changes will be crucial in guiding the car's development direction in the limited time before the first race.