Stroll says Aston Martin's 2026 F1 car is 'four and a half seconds off' the pace

Lance Stroll delivered a stark assessment of Aston Martin's 2026 Formula 1 car, stating it appears to be up to four and a half seconds slower than the leading teams after the first Bahrain test. The comments follow a troubled shakedown and a data-limited opening test day, casting a shadow over the highly anticipated debut of the first Adrian Newey-designed car for the team.

Why it matters:

The admission is a significant reality check for a team that entered the new rules cycle with immense ambition, highlighted by the landmark signing of design legend Adrian Newey. Stroll's downbeat evaluation suggests Aston Martin may be facing a much steeper climb to competitiveness than hoped, potentially undermining the narrative of a fresh start under the new technical regulations.

The details:

• The AMR26, Adrian Newey's first car for Aston Martin, finally ran at a Barcelona shakedown two weeks ago but started late, with Stroll managing only four laps before stopping.
• In Bahrain, Stroll completed just 36 laps on the first day, with only three after lunch due to a data anomaly detected by engine partner Honda, which reportedly required further analysis.
• Teammate Fernando Alonso's best time on Thursday morning was over 4.6 seconds slower than the fastest lap set by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
• When asked where the car's issues lie, Stroll pointed to a "combination of things. Engine, balance, grip. It's not one thing. It's a combination."
• Alonso had previously tempered expectations at the team's launch, suggesting they could start the season "a bit behind" rivals, but Stroll's specific lap time deficit is more severe.

What's next:

The team has approximately three weeks until the season-opening Australian Grand Prix to find performance. Stroll acknowledged the challenge is immense, stating they need to "find four seconds of performance." The focus will be on problem-solving with the current package and developing longer-term upgrades for both the power unit and chassis. Where Aston Martin truly stands will only become clear when the lights go out in Melbourne.