Stroll's limited AMR26 run draws sympathy as rivals eye Newey's design

Lance Stroll completed only five laps in Aston Martin's new AMR26 during its Barcelona shakedown, leading to claims he was 'hard done by' as teammate Fernando Alonso took over for the final day. Meanwhile, the car's design by new hire Adrian Newey has drawn significant attention, with Mercedes' George Russell calling it the 'standout' of the early 2026 tests.

Why it matters:

The limited running for Stroll highlights the intense competition for track time as teams evaluate their new cars under major 2026 regulations. More broadly, the immediate visual impact of Newey's first Aston Martin design has sent a clear signal of intent, putting rivals on notice that the team is a serious technical contender for the new era.

The details:

• Stroll's Short Run: Sky F1 pundit and former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins suggested Stroll would feel 'a little hard done by' after managing just five laps in the AMR26 on the penultimate day of the Barcelona test. Fernando Alonso then drove for the entire final day of running.
• Newey's Immediate Impact: An Aston Martin staffer described the AMR26, the first car from design legend Adrian Newey since his move from Red Bull, as being 'on another level' in terms of attention to detail compared to previous projects.
• Rival Recognition: Mercedes driver George Russell identified the Aston Martin as 'probably the most standout car in terms of car design,' specifically praising its 'very impressive' rear suspension, though he cautioned that looks don't directly translate to lap time.
• Other Team News: Williams revealed the livery for its delayed FW48 car after missing the Barcelona test, while Haas confirmed the signing of Jack Doohan as a reserve driver for the 2026 season.

What's next:

The real test for Aston Martin's promising package will come at the season-opening race in Melbourne. While the design has turned heads, its performance against established front-runners like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes remains unproven. For Stroll, the focus will shift to maximizing his preparation with the limited data from his brief shakedown run.