The Newey strategy is affecting the morale at Aston Martin.

      Aston Martin acknowledges that its poor start to the 2026 season is visibly impacting the entire team. Amid new speculation regarding Fernando Alonso’s future, linked to Alpine and his longtime manager Flavio Briatore, Aston Martin-Honda finds itself at the back of the grid while anticipating a significant upgrade package supported by Adrian Newey. Trackside chief Mike Krack mentions that the situation is becoming more challenging to handle. "This is starting to weigh on the entire team," he told the AS newspaper. "It’s noticeable, and you can sense it in the garage, especially with the drivers. It’s a very tough situation."

      The team has mostly resisted implementing smaller upgrades, instead following a strategy believed to be advocated by team boss Newey—who has largely been absent from the 2026 grands prix—focusing resources on a major package later in the season. "However, we have a strong leader, and the decision to introduce upgrades later was made," Krack said. "We’re all committed to that choice, even though it’s challenging. Our role is to maintain high motivation and learn as much as we can."

      The extent of Aston Martin’s difficulties became evident again in Barcelona, where Alonso qualified last and subsequently retired due to a battery failure. "It might sound absurd, but when you’re three or four seconds off the pace, it feels like you’re in a different league," Krack admitted. "But you still gain a lot from the experience."

      Krack warned that even the anticipated upgrade package won't fix everything. "It would be misleading to say we’re just spinning our wheels waiting for upgrades, but some of the issues we face will remain when the upgrades come. Handling, gear shifts, the entire transmission response, power delivery—all the issues we’re encountering in these areas won’t be resolved by simply adding a bit more power or downforce."

      He also expressed disappointment over letting Aston Martin's fans down, particularly 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 watch their heroes."

      Krack reiterated the team's long-term vision. Despite the increasing rumors connecting Alonso to Alpine, AS reported that sources close to the matter see no solid indications that the Spaniard is getting ready to leave Aston Martin. However, correspondent Jesus Balseiro observed that Briatore’s frequent visits to the Aston Martin hospitality area "in full view of the cameras" throughout the Barcelona weekend did little to alleviate the speculation. "And rather than being an obvious choice, it could be seen as a wake-up call for an ambitious project, led by a genius, that urgently requires a change in direction," he stated. "It’s no secret that Aston Martin needs Fernando more than he needs Aston Martin."