Fernando Alonso has expressed a cautious outlook regarding the speed at which Aston Martin can translate its recent high profile investments into race wins. While the team has secured legendary designer Adrian Newey and an exclusive engine partnership with Honda for the 2026 season, Alonso is questioning the “when” rather than the “if” of their success. His primary concern centers on the time required to “glue together” a massive influx of new personnel and state of the art facilities before the new regulations begin.
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Can the ‘Dream Team’ really come together?
Aston Martin has undergone a rapid expansion, moving into a brand new factory and completing its own wind tunnel. The team has also hired top technical talent, including Adrian Newey as team principal and technical leader, alongside Andy Cowell and Enrico Cardile. Alonso acknowledged that while the ingredients for a world championship are now present, the human element of the project is still in its early stages.
The two time world champion noted that many of these key figures have only been in the system for a few months. He questioned whether this short window is enough time for the team to find its rhythm or if a full season of “bonding” will be necessary before they can challenge at the front. Alonso described the situation as a complicated scenario where the team must prove its factory tools can deliver the results predicted on paper.
Regrouping after a difficult 2025 season
The 2025 season has been a testing period for the Silverstone based team. Alonso admitted that the squad is “not happy” with its performance, as the car was based on an uncompetitive 2024 platform. Because all Formula 1 teams shifted their focus to the 2026 rules very early, Aston Martin struggled to find a path for improvement during the previous year.
Alonso views the 2026 regulations as a “natural reset.” Because every team starts from scratch with a blank piece of paper, there is a significant opportunity for progress. However, he remains realistic about the competition. He stated that while Aston Martin has “everything in place” in terms of resources, every other team is also working at its highest level to exploit the new rules.
What about the driver feedback?
Beyond the organizational concerns, Alonso has shared his initial thoughts on how the 2026 cars will drive. Following simulator sessions, he noted that the new machines will likely have less downforce and less grip than the current generation. He admitted that drivers generally do not enjoy testing cars that feel slower, but he remains optimistic that the competitive nature of the racing will make up for the loss of raw speed.
He also emphasized the importance of driver communication in the early months of 2026. Because the cars will change rapidly during the first three or four races, the feedback provided by the drivers will be vital for the engineers to find performance. Alonso believes his decades of experience will be a “plus” in this environment, helping the team decide which design philosophy to follow as they discover the car’s true behavior on track.
Is Alonso committed?
Despite his questions regarding the timeline, Alonso remains committed to the Aston Martin project. He has stated that fighting for the World Championship is “guaranteed” for the team in the future because of the level of investment from owner Lawrence Stroll. His focus is now on making that success happen as soon as possible.
Alonso is currently contracted through the end of the 2026 season. He has suggested that his decision to continue racing or retire may depend on how competitive the team is once the new era begins. He remains motivated by the “opportunity” that 2026 represents, even if he remains skeptical of the “magic” that teams often promise before a major rule change.
