2026 Astin Martin

[Dare]

I hope it's as fast as it looks

https://www.planetf1.com/news/another-level-adrian-newey-aston-martin-amr26s-attention-detail-incredible

[Jericoke]

I'm feeling weird about cheering for Aston Martin.  It's a billionaire backed team that has poached their way to the top instead of building something.  (Okay, all F1 teams are billionaire backed, but a lot of them actually try to build something)

And yet, the Strolls are Canadian, so naturally I feel drawn to them. 

I was never a 'fan' of Alonso, but it's hard not to support a pure racer who is in formula one because he belongs there as much as anyone ever has. 

Even Lance Stroll, despite setting some futility records in F1, he's as entitled to an F1 career as drivers such as Hulkenberg, Albon or Perez. 

Obviously Newey is one of the all time greats, (and designed the car the last Canadian WDC drove!) but I did sort of sour on him with his association with Red Bull.  Newey isn't exactly an underdog who hasn't had recent success (like Alonso).  He's one of the few 'names' in F1 who has been active in the sport since I first started watching in 1996 (if there are others, I'd love to know.  Certainly Briatore, but he took some much deserved time off from the sport...)

[lkjohnson1950]

Newey now says the car that was at the test is not their race car. We'll see how different it looks in Bahrain.

[Dare]

I wonder if AM get a championship car will Stroll be forced in the backseat
like Fisichella was at Renault with Alonso the number 1++++

[Jericoke]

I wonder if AM get a championship car will Stroll be forced in the backseat
like Fisichella was at Renault with Alonso the number 1++++

Certainly depends, if the car is utterly dominant, hopefully the team lets the drivers 'race' and at least pretend there's an intra team competition.  Of course if the the team is good, not great, there will be plenty of team orders.

[John S]

I hope it's as fast as it looks.

Trouble is if Hondaa PU is .3 secs a lap behind Merc, RBR & Ferrari as some suggest, all Newey's brilliance may not be enough.

[Jericoke]

I hope it's as fast as it looks.

Trouble is if Hondaa PU is .3 secs a lap behind Merc, RBR & Ferrari as some suggest, all Newey's brilliance may not be enough.

How much fun will this season be if the fastest engine, fastest car and fastest driver, with .3 seconds difference made by all three, are on different teams?

(And why not... fastest fuel, and fastest strategy on different teams again?)

[lkjohnson1950]

The teams are meeting with the FIA to pass a new testing procedure before OZ which will eliminate the Mercedes loop hole. I hope Merc has a backup power unit ready.