Lance Stroll gives first verdict on Adrian Newey's Aston Martin AMR26 after brief shakedown

Lance Stroll completed just five laps in Aston Martin's new Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 during its track debut in Barcelona, reporting positive initial feelings despite a precautionary stop caused by a suspected electrical issue. The short run marked the first track action for the highly anticipated Honda-powered car, with teammate Fernando Alonso set to take over driving duties for the final day of pre-season testing.

Why it matters:

The shakedown of the AMR26 represents the first tangible result of Aston Martin's ambitious new technical era, spearheaded by legendary designer Adrian Newey and a new power unit partnership with Honda. After years of midfield competition, the team is banking on this radical collaboration to propel them into consistent championship contention, making every lap of data—even a brief and interrupted run—critically important for development.

The details:

• Stroll was tasked with the car's inaugural run during the fourth day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, following an intense preparation effort by the team after the car arrived late on Wednesday.
• His initial outing was an installation lap, followed by a slightly longer run that ended prematurely.
• Technical Halt: The Canadian driver was signaled to stop by track marshals after only a handful of laps due to a suspected electrical issue, potentially related to the new Honda power unit, indicated by the car's LED lights.
• Driver Feedback: Despite the limited running, Stroll's initial impression was positive, stating the car was "feeling good" and praising the team's effort to prepare the complex new machine.
• Collaboration Milestone: The run culminated months of work between Aston Martin and new engine partner Honda, a partnership seen as crucial for the team's future success.

What's next:

Focus now shifts to building mileage and understanding the new package.

• Fernando Alonso will drive the AMR26 on the fifth and final day of the Barcelona shakedown, aiming for more consistent running to gather crucial data.
• The team's immediate goal is straightforward: complete more laps, learn the car's characteristics, and identify its strengths and weaknesses to guide development before the season opener. The success of this new technical partnership will be judged not by a single shakedown, but by its performance and reliability in the races to come.