F1 Drivers Reflect on 2025 as Aston Martin Fires Up First 2026 Car

Aston Martin has officially kicked off the 2026 Formula 1 era, becoming the first team to fire up its new car, the AMR26. As the grid bids farewell to a tumultuous 2025 season, drivers like Charles Leclerc and a newly-crowned Lando Norris took to social media to reflect on a year of dramatic competitive shifts and personal milestones.

Why it matters:

The successful start of the Newey-penned AMR26 is a significant milestone for Aston Martin, signaling their aggressive intent to be a front-runner from the outset of the new technical regulations. Meanwhile, the driver reflections from a season that saw the championship change hands provide the human backdrop to these technical developments, highlighting the personal narratives and rivalries that will carry over into the new year.

The details:

• A New Era Comes to Life: Aston Martin shared a video of the AMR26's initial fire-up, the first car for the 2026 regulations to be powered up. The chassis, designed by legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey for drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, marks a crucial step ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
• Verstappen's Graceful Exit: Max Verstappen, who lost his world title to Lando Norris in 2025, still ended the year on a high. He was voted Driver of the Season by his peers and team principals, and took to social media to thank his fans for their support during a challenging campaign.
• Leclerc's Bittersweet Year: Charles Leclerc reflected on a "bittersweet" 2025 with Ferrari, marked by on-track inconsistencies but significant personal happiness, including his engagement to Alexandra Saint Mleux.
• Williams' Year-End Review: The Williams drivers also joined in, with Carlos Sainz sharing a collection of unseen photos from his season and Alex Albon posting from a holiday with his partner, enjoying the downtime before the 2026 push begins.

What's next:

With the first car fired up, the entire F1 paddock's focus now shifts to the new season. The Barcelona pre-season test at the end of January will be the first true indicator of the competitive order, with all eyes on Aston Martin's early progress. The storylines from 2025—Norris's ascent, Verstappen's response, and Ferrari's quest for redemption—are now set to unfold on a completely new technical battlefield.