Stroll claims Aston are ‘four-and-a-half seconds’ off pace

Aston Martin appears to be struggling significantly in pre-season testing in Bahrain, with Lance Stroll candidly admitting the team is "four-and-a-half seconds" off the pace. Stroll cited a combination of issues with the new Honda-powered AMR26, including the engine, balance, and grip. Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack also acknowledged their lack of pace, while Fernando Alonso conceded they are "on the back foot" due to missing earlier testing in Barcelona. Despite the challenging start, Alonso expressed confidence in Adrian Newey's chassis design, believing the team will eventually unlock the car's full performance and bring necessary upgrades to compete at the front.