The Aston Martin Formula 1 team experienced delays in preparing its new AMR26 car for initial track testing, resulting in it appearing in an all-black livery at the Barcelona shakedown last month simply because there wasn’t time to paint it, according to managing technical partner Adrian Newey.
The Silverstone-based team was limited to just two of its allotted three days of running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Lance Stroll encountered technical issues on the opening day, completing only five laps before a red flag halted proceedings. While Fernando Alonso managed a more substantial 61 laps on the final day, the car’s unpainted state underscored the pressures faced by the team as it finalized its first Formula 1 car under Newey’s direct oversight following his move from Red Bull Racing.
Speaking at the team’s livery launch in Saudi Arabia, Newey conceded the lack of paint was a direct consequence of a compressed timeline. “It’s great to see the car as we will race it,” he said. “The car we ran briefly at Barcelona for a day-and-a-half, it was all black, partially in truth because we didn’t have time to paint it.” He described the moment the car first left the garage with Stroll at the wheel as emotionally significant, acknowledging the “long, emotional journey of passion and a lot of hard work” that culminated in that moment.
The AMR26 represents a significant undertaking for Aston Martin, marking a new chapter as a works team with the arrival of Honda power units in . Newey’s involvement has generated considerable anticipation within the paddock, with rivals already noting the car’s distinctive design. Williams team principal James Vowles described the AMR26 as a “really, really interesting design,” while Mercedes driver George Russell called it “pretty spectacular” and “probably the most standout in terms of the car design.”
The late arrival of the AMR26 to the Barcelona shakedown wasn’t the only logistical challenge faced by the team. Reports indicate the car was transported to Spain on a 50-year-old Antonov plane, highlighting the lengths to which Aston Martin went to participate in the crucial pre-season testing.
Newey characterized the AMR26 as “one of the more extreme interpretations” of the aerodynamic regulations, acknowledging that different teams have adopted varied approaches to the new ruleset. He drew parallels to , when the introduction of a new set of regulations also prompted a diverse range of designs. “Whether it’s the right one or the wrong one, only time will tell,” he stated.
The team is now preparing for the first official pre-season test in Bahrain, scheduled from to . Aston Martin will join the other ten Formula 1 teams, including Williams, which did not participate in the Barcelona shakedown.
Newey’s expanded role as team principal, following a change in leadership at Aston Martin, adds further weight to the expectations surrounding the AMR26. The car is also the first to be fully developed utilizing Aston Martin’s new wind tunnel, a significant investment aimed at establishing the team as a consistent contender after a recent decline in performance. The combination of regulatory changes, Newey’s design philosophy, and the new Honda engine partnership presents Aston Martin with a unique opportunity to challenge the established order in Formula 1.
The success of this venture will depend not only on the innovative design of the AMR26 but also on the seamless integration of the Honda power unit. The team’s ability to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the new regulations will be closely watched as the season unfolds.
