Aston Martin faced significant challenges during the recent Monaco and Barcelona race weekends, with both cars qualifying at the back of the grid and limited results.
Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack stated that the team's AMR26 showed weaknesses across different circuit types. "The track character cannot be more different here to Monaco," he said after the Barcelona race. "But the fact that we are behind on both circuits, shows you that it is all areas that we have to work on."
In Monaco, drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualified at the rear, behind Cadillac. Alonso scored one point amid retirements and a post-race penalty for Sergio Perez. Barcelona proved tougher, with both cars again at the back and a full-second gap to the Ferrari-powered Cadillacs. Alonso described the car as having "the worst car" and "the worst engine" on the grid. Both retired from the race due to reliability issues.
Krack noted the absence of a single fix. "I think it is everything," he said. The team is not pursuing aggressive upgrades and instead awaits a major package at Spa in mid-July. "It is weighing on everyone," Krack added. "You can feel it in the garage. You can feel it especially with the drivers."
This marks Aston Martin's worst season start since rejoining Formula 1 in 2021 under Lawrence Stroll's ownership.
