Newey's strategy is affecting the morale at Aston Martin.

      Aston Martin acknowledges that its poor start to the 2026 season is visibly affecting the entire team. With speculation surrounding Fernando Alonso’s future due to connections with Alpine and his long-time manager Flavio Briatore, Aston Martin-Honda finds itself at the bottom of the standings while awaiting a significant upgrade package supported by Adrian Newey. Trackside chief Mike Krack indicates that the situation is becoming harder to handle.

      "This is starting to weigh on the entire team," he told AS newspaper. "You can see it and feel it in the garage, especially with the drivers. It’s a very challenging situation." The team has largely refrained from implementing smaller upgrades, instead adhering to a strategy reportedly advocated by team boss Newey—who has been mostly absent from the races in 2026—focusing resources on a substantial update later in the season.

      "But at the same time, we have a strong leader, and the decision to postpone upgrades was made," Krack mentioned. "We’re all committed to that choice, even though it’s tough. Our responsibility is to maintain high motivation and learn as much as we can." The extent of Aston Martin’s difficulties was further emphasized in Barcelona, where Alonso qualified last and subsequently retired due to a battery failure.

      "It may sound crazy, but when you're three or four seconds behind, it feels like you're competing in a different league," Krack admitted. "Yet, you still gain a lot of knowledge." The Luxembourger warned that even the eagerly awaited upgrade package will not resolve all issues. "It would be hard to say we're going in circles waiting for upgrades, but some challenges we face will persist when the upgrades arrive. Handling, gear shifts, the overall transmission response, and power delivery—none of these issues will be resolved simply by adding a bit more power or downforce."

      Krack expressed his acknowledgment of the disappointment of Aston Martin's fanbase, particularly during Alonso’s home race, which could have been the 44-year-old’s final grand prix in Barcelona. "We expected a weekend like this, but I genuinely feel sorry for the fans," Krack stated. "We saw many wearing green shirts, and these are individuals who purchased expensive tickets to see their heroes." He reiterated the team’s long-term vision.

      Despite increasing rumors connecting Alonso to Alpine, AS newspaper reported that sources close to the situation do not see any solid indications that the Spaniard is preparing to depart from Aston Martin. Nevertheless, correspondent Jesus Balseiro noted that Briatore’s repeated appearances in the Aston Martin hospitality area "in front of the cameras" throughout the Barcelona race weekend did little to quell the speculation. "Rather than being a clear option, it could be seen as a wake-up call for an ambitious project, led by a genius, that is in urgent need of a change in course," he remarked. "It’s no secret that Aston Martin needs Fernando more than he needs Aston Martin."