Aston Martin Unveils 2026 F1 Car on Day Four’s Final Hour
Aston Martin has officially unveiled its 2026 F1 car, the AMR26, during testing at Barcelona. This reveal came late on Thursday afternoon, with just one hour remaining in the session. The car arrived in Spain the previous evening, and after extensive late-night efforts, it was ready for its first outing.
Key Features of the AMR26
During its limited track time, the AMR26 showcased a striking all-black carbon finish. Lance Stroll was behind the wheel, navigating a car that features:
- An aggressive undercut sidepod design
- Innovative engine cover solutions
- A significant gap under the airbox
Notably, the car has no sponsor stickers, accentuating its sleek appearance with only the Aston Martin logo visible on the nose.
Delayed Unveiling and Team Changes
Aston Martin missed the first three days of the Barcelona shakedown, which limited its testing opportunities. This delay has been linked to the extensive modifications pushed by Adrian Newey, who is overseeing the team’s technical operations for the first time. This is also Newey’s inaugural season as the team principal, following Andy Cowell’s transition to a different role.
Power Unit Transition
The AMR26 marks Aston Martin’s switch to Honda power units amid new regulatory changes. Honda’s president, Koji Watanabe, acknowledged that the beginning of the season would be challenging. He emphasized the company’s commitment to thorough reliability testing and preparing for in-vehicle trials.
Despite the hurdles, both Aston Martin and Honda are dedicated to refining their performance, aiming for a competitive standing in the upcoming Formula 1 season.
