Fernando Alonso Points to Hidden Progress Despite Aston Martin's Struggles and Summer Wait

Fernando Alonso has insisted Aston Martin is making progress behind the scenes, even as the team remains at the bottom of the constructors' standings with zero points and no upgrades planned until after the summer break. The AMR26 has been plagued by issues, including a vibration problem with the Honda power unit that was severe enough that Adrian Newey warned of potential nerve damage. Now, Alonso sees small gains from fine-tuning the new in-house gearbox, but admits the fundamental pace deficit will only be closed with major aero and engine updates later in the season.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin's slide from a regular podium contender in 2023 to a backmarker in 2026 is one of the paddock's biggest puzzles. With Honda struggling to deliver a competitive power unit and the team transitioning to its own gearbox for the first time, every small step matters. Alonso's confidence in the team's direction suggests the long-term project is on track, but immediate results are hard to see.

The Details:

• Standings: Aston Martin is last in the constructors' championship, tied on zero points with Cadillac but behind due to Valtteri Bottas' 13th place in China.
• Power Unit: The vibration issue that worried Newey in Australia has been solved, but the Honda engine still lacks the performance to challenge midfield teams.
• Gearbox: For the first time, Aston Martin is using its own gearbox instead of a Mercedes unit. Alonso reported significant improvement from Miami to Canada in gear sync and downshifting, which contributed to better lap times despite no aero changes.
• Alonso's Quote: "We make good starts sometimes, we're completely out of position, and then we slowly fall behind. We lose one position each lap, and then arrive at our natural position at the back. [...] There is progress every time we hit the track."

What's Next:

Aston Martin will not bring any upgrades until after the summer break. Alonso expects a host of small improvements in the coming races, but the "fundamental problem" of being three seconds off the pace will only be addressed by the new aero package and more power from Honda. Patience is the name of the game at Silverstone.