Why Aston Martin have hope despite their early struggles

Aston Martin faces a challenging start to the 2026 season, admitting they are "slow" and "not where they want to be" after pre-season testing in Bahrain. Drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso both highlighted significant performance gaps, citing issues with engine, balance, and grip. The team's struggles are attributed to several factors, including a delayed start to wind tunnel development, a compressed timeline for Adrian Newey's design integration, and the complexities of developing new gearbox and suspension components in-house, alongside Honda's efforts on a new power unit. Despite these hurdles, Aston Martin remains optimistic, banking on Newey's proven expertise and their substantial resources to overcome initial setbacks and achieve long-term success in their ambitious 10-year project.