Krack hails 'emotional' debut of Aston Martin's new AMR26

Aston Martin's AMR26 finally hit the track in Barcelona, marking a pivotal and emotional milestone for a team undergoing its most radical transformation yet. Team principal Mike Krack celebrated the moment as a tribute to immense hard work, acknowledging the car arrived late but ready for its crucial first test ahead of a season of massive change.

Why it matters:

The debut symbolizes Aston Martin's full evolution into a factory team, tackling new chassis and power unit regulations simultaneously while integrating a new partnership with Honda and the creative influence of Adrian Newey. Successfully navigating this complex transition is critical for the team's ambition to become a consistent front-runner in Formula 1's new era.

The details:

• The car completed its first laps with Lance Stroll at the wheel on Thursday afternoon in Barcelona, sparking celebration after arriving at the circuit just the night before.
• Mike Krack described the moment as "emotional and exciting," highlighting the relentless effort from the entire team to meet the deadline.
• The project is uniquely challenging, combining the introduction of Honda's 2026 power unit with Aston Martin's first in-house gearbox in years under all-new technical regulations.
• Krack admitted the team was "a little bit late" but expressed pride in making it to the test, emphasizing the scale of the change in becoming a true works operation.
• Initial integration with new power unit partner Honda has begun positively, with Krack noting shared smiles and an open, challenging working relationship between the two parties.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to a intense pre-season testing program to understand the new car and solidify the partnership with Honda. With legendary designer Adrian Newey's influence on the aerodynamic package and the team embracing its new factory status, the AMR26's development trajectory will be closely watched as a barometer for Aston Martin's long-term competitive potential.