Upgraded Aston Martin 'chassis' is on the way - de la Rosa

      Adrian Newey finally spoke out in Monaco regarding Aston Martin’s poor start to the 2026 season, claiming that a significant upgrade package is forthcoming. The Monaco GP was Newey’s first appearance at a race weekend since Melbourne, putting an end to weeks of speculation about his absence, which ranged from health issues to suggestions that Aston Martin wished to keep its new team principal out of the limelight during the team's difficulties. Instead, the legendary designer presented a clear message.

      "I’ve been focused on improving the car, and we’ll probably have an upgrade ready just before the summer break," Newey stated. His comments correspond with recent hints that both Aston Martin and Honda may be preparing major upgrades around the middle of the season. Shintaro Orihara from Honda recently suggested that an ADUO-assisted power unit upgrade might arrive during the summer, while Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa mentioned that the team is getting ready for modifications all around.

      "We’re really struggling as a team, not only the drivers, but also the mechanics and engineers," de la Rosa said at Barcelona’s F1 Fan Village. "But we’re working tirelessly, and this situation won’t last much longer. We’re set to introduce many changes starting in the summer." De la Rosa noted that the challenges go well beyond Honda’s underpowered engine. "We need to enhance every aspect," he confessed. "We were expected to achieve decent results, but we didn’t, and now we need to improve in practically everything. It’s not just the engine; our car struggles with both high-speed and low-speed corners. This situation is fairly typical, and it simply indicates that we need to redesign the chassis."

      Newey explained that Aston Martin intentionally opted not to follow the path of many competitors who have rolled out a series of incremental upgrades since Melbourne. "It’s a long and difficult process for them, obviously," Newey said about drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. "After Melbourne, we decided that rather than implementing piecemeal updates, we would take our time to establish systems and conduct our research more thoroughly. Everything was rushed to get the car ready for Melbourne. We said we’d endure the short-term difficulties and hopefully make a substantial improvement when we do."

      Spanish journalist Jesus Balseiro referred to the troubled AMR26 as "a blemish on Newey’s record." He compared Aston Martin’s first car from the Newey era to McLaren’s radical MP4-18 design from 2003 — a car that never made it onto a grand prix grid. For Alonso, however, the ongoing talks about future upgrades are becoming tiresome. "We have the assurance that comes from doing good work, even if it’s not apparent," the Spaniard commented. "But until it becomes visible, it's best not to discuss it." He added, "The development plan is clear. We anticipate significant improvements during the summer or the break, although we can’t say if it will be before or after. We must maximize them and stay calm."

      De la Rosa also expressed his support for Honda as the Japanese manufacturer strives to recover from a challenging start under the new regulations. "We’re very pleased with their approach and how they have addressed the vibration issues," he said. "Ultimately, this is Formula 1, and it’s just a matter of physics — we expect to gain more grip and power. It’s not complicated. However, achieving it is."