Aston Martin’s Struggles Persist Amid Major Overhaul

Aston Martin’s challenging start to the 2026 Formula 1 season continued into the second preseason test in Bahrain, as both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll struggled for pace and encountered reliability issues. Stroll’s car suffered a loud mechanical noise before he spun into the gravel at Turn 11, bringing out red flags and raising fresh concerns about the team’s readiness ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack acknowledged the team is facing difficulties, stating, "We acknowledge that we have work to do. We understand that we are not at the level that others might be." The car, designed under technical mastermind Adrian Newey—who has also taken over as team principal—represents a radical departure from previous designs, incorporating a new gearbox developed in-house for the first time in years and running as a works team with Honda power units.

New Design Philosophy Under Scrutiny

Newey’s bold aerodynamic approach has drawn attention across the paddock, but questions remain about whether the car’s handling characteristics stem from a fundamental DNA issue. Despite the setbacks, Alonso remains optimistic: "I think everything can be fixed for sure, short and medium-term. I don’t think there is anything impossible to fix… We’ll try to fix everything before Australia, and after that, in the first couple of races."

The team’s struggles contrast sharply with their ambitious rebranding and technical overhaul. Krack described the current issues as "beginner problems," attributing them to the sheer number of new elements being integrated simultaneously.

Haas and Cadillac Highlighting Midfield and Entry-Level Efforts

Meanwhile, Haas continued their encouraging start to testing. With reliable running and strong feedback from drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman, the American team has steadily improved its package after introducing new components. Team principal Ayao Komatsu said, "We’ve learned quite a lot," and highlighted the effective performance of the Ferrari power unit and energy management systems.

In contrast, Cadillac faced a disrupted day, managing only 59 laps due to sensor and telemetry issues affecting both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. The team hopes to recover in the final two days and complete their testing programme ahead of their full-season debut.

While Aston Martin’s struggles remain in focus, the contrast with Haas’ reliability and Cadillac’s determined troubleshooting underscores the wide spectrum of challenges facing teams ahead of the new era’s launch.