Newey's strategy is having an impact on the morale at Aston Martin.

      Aston Martin acknowledges that its poor start to the 2026 season is noticeably affecting the entire team. With fresh speculation surrounding Fernando Alonso's future in connection to Alpine and his longtime manager Flavio Briatore, the Aston Martin-Honda team finds itself at the back of the pack while awaiting a significant upgrade package supported by Adrian Newey. Trackside chief Mike Krack has indicated that the situation is becoming harder to manage.

      "This is starting to burden the entire team," he shared with AS newspaper. "You can sense it, you can feel it in the garage, especially with the drivers. It’s a very challenging situation."

      The team has mostly refrained from implementing smaller upgrades, opting instead for a strategy believed to be advocated by team principal Newey—who has been largely absent from the 2026 grands prix—to concentrate resources on a major package set for later in the season.

      "But at the same time, we have a strong leader, and the decision to postpone upgrades was made," Krack stated. "We’re all committed to that choice, even though it’s tough. Our task now is to maintain our motivation and learn as much as we can."

      Aston Martin’s difficulties were highlighted once more in Barcelona, where Alonso qualified last and subsequently retired due to a battery issue.

      "It may sound insane, but when you’re three or four seconds off the pace, it feels like you’re in a different league," Krack conceded. "But you still gain valuable insights."

      Krack warned that even the anticipated upgrade package won't resolve all issues. "It would be misleading to say we’re just waiting for upgrades, but some of our challenges will still exist once the upgrades are implemented. Issues with handling, gear shifts, the entire transmission's reaction, and power delivery won't be fixed merely by adding a bit more power or downforce."

      He recognized the frustration of letting down Aston Martin's fans, especially during Alonso's home race, which could have been the 44-year-old's final grand prix in Barcelona.

      "We anticipated a weekend like this, but I sincerely apologize to the fans," Krack said. "We saw many wearing green shirts, and these are individuals who purchased very expensive tickets to see their heroes."

      Krack reiterated the team's long-term vision. Despite growing rumors associating Alonso with Alpine, the AS newspaper reported that sources close to the matter see no solid evidence that the Spaniard is gearing up to leave Aston Martin. However, correspondent Jesus Balseiro remarked that Briatore's frequent appearances at the Aston Martin hospitality area "in full view of the cameras" during the Barcelona weekend did little to quell speculation.

      "And rather than being an obvious choice, it might be seen as a wake-up call for an ambitious project, led by a genius, that urgently needs a change in course," he noted. "It’s no secret that Aston Martin needs Fernando more than he needs Aston Martin."