Alonso warns AMR26 lags after rough Bahrain test

Fernando Alonso warned that Aston Martin’s brand‑new AMR26 is already off the pace after a troubled testing weekend in Bahrain. Missing the Barcelona test and the associated filming days left the team starting “on the back foot”, and the new energy‑deployment rules are adding another layer of difficulty.

Why it matters:

The opening rounds set the tone for the 2026 season, and a multi‑second deficit at the start of the year can force a team into a development catch‑up race. For a high‑profile project like the Newey‑designed AMR26, early performance shortfalls threaten both sponsor expectations and the championship ambitions of a two‑time world champion.

The details:

• The AMR26 missed the three‑day Barcelona test, losing a month of data collection that rivals have already used to refine setups.
• Lance Stroll estimated the car could be up to 4‑4.5 seconds slower per lap than the front‑runners.
• In Bahrain, Alonso reported “small issues” each run, ranging from aerodynamic balance to cooling, which compounded the lack of clean mileage.
• New F1 power‑unit regulations limit energy deployment, forcing drivers to back off in corners to preserve boost for straights—something Alonso illustrated with a “chef can drive at 10‑12” analogy.
• The team’s first full‑scale test came only in Bahrain, meaning they have less time to diagnose and fix problems before the season opener.

What's next:

Going forward, Aston Martin will need to accelerate data analysis and bring rapid updates to the AMR26 before the first race in Saudi Arabia. Alonso’s candid feedback suggests the engineers will prioritize solving the “small issues” and improving energy‑management maps. If the team can close the performance gap quickly, they could still be competitive; if not, the early deficit may force a strategic shift toward a longer‑term development plan.