Fernando Alonso on first experience in Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin AMR26

Fernando Alonso completed his first laps in an Adrian Newey-designed Formula 1 car during the Barcelona shakedown, praising the intense team effort to get the new Aston Martin AMR26 ready and highlighting the constant learning process with the legendary designer present in the garage.

Why it matters:

This marks a significant milestone in both Alonso's career and Aston Martin's ambitious project. After 23 years in F1 and several near-misses, the two-time world champion is finally working directly with the sport's most celebrated designer. For Aston Martin, having Newey's influence on track represents the tangible start of their long-term technical overhaul aimed at becoming championship contenders.

The details:

• The AMR26, Aston Martin's first car built in collaboration with Newey and new power unit partner Honda, faced a tight deadline, arriving just in time for the Barcelona group test after an intense final two-week push at the factory.
• Alonso took over driving duties from teammate Lance Stroll on the final day, completing 49 laps with a best time of 1:20.795, following a truncated first day where an electrical issue limited running to just five laps.
• The Spaniard emphasized the "tremendous effort" from the entire team to make the shakedown, a feat not all teams managed, as Williams opted to skip the group test entirely.
• Alonso described the atmosphere with Newey in the garage, noting that the designer's presence, notepad in hand, has a motivating effect on the entire crew, who are keenly observing his every interaction with the car.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the official pre-season test in Bahrain, where Aston Martin will gather crucial data on the AMR26's performance and reliability. The real test of Newey's initial design concepts and the new Honda power unit integration will begin in earnest, setting the stage for the team's competitive level at the season opener. Alonso's experience and feedback, combined with Newey's ongoing development, will be critical in refining the car's package in the limited time before the first race.