Aston Martin First to Fire Up 2026 F1 Car as Verstappen Manager Dissects Title Fight

Aston Martin has given the world its first look at the 2026 Formula 1 era, sharing a video of its new car firing up on the factory floor. This milestone marks the physical integration of the new chassis and power unit regulations, a critical step in development. The news comes as the 2025 season's final narratives are still being written, with Max Verstappen's manager offering a blunt assessment of the title fight.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents one of the biggest regulatory overhauls in recent F1 history, with new engine and chassis rules designed to close the performance gap and create more exciting racing. Aston Martin being the first to hit this public milestone suggests they are on track with their development, potentially signaling a strong challenge to the established top teams. Early progress like this can build crucial momentum and set the tone for a team's entire campaign.

The details:

• Aston Martin's AMR26: The team confirmed the fire-up of its 2026 challenger occurred before its winter shutdown. This is the first time the new chassis and power unit have been combined and run, serving as a vital proof-of-concept for the entire project under the groundbreaking new regulations.
• Vermeulen's Verdict: Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, called his driver's title-winning season a "work of art." However, he added that with the pace of the McLaren, Lando Norris "should have become champion much earlier," pointing to strategic errors from the Norris and McLaren camp that allowed the championship fight to continue deeper into the season.
• Peer Recognition: In a separate end-of-season note, Verstappen was voted Driver of the Year by his fellow drivers in a private poll, finishing ahead of Norris. Notably, Lewis Hamilton failed to make the top 10 for the first time in the vote's history, signaling a shift in perception among the grid.

What's next:

With the fire-up complete, Aston Martin and all other teams will now focus on an intensive period of dyno testing and simulation before the first 2026 cars hit the track for shakedowns next year. The comments from Verstappen's camp will only add fuel to the fire for a highly anticipated 2026 season, where Norris and McLaren will be determined to convert their car's speed into a championship, while Aston Martin aims to prove their early progress translates to on-track performance.