Aston Martin AMR26

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Aston Martin AMR26
2026 Chinese GP - Aston Martin - Fernando Alonso - Qualifying.jpg
Fernando Alonso driving the Aston Martin AMR26 during qualifying for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Designers
Predecessor Aston Martin AMR25
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon fibre composite with survival cell and honeycomb structure
Engine Honda RA626H
1.6 L (98 cu in) Turbo Rear-mid mounted
Electric motor Honda
Kinetic energy recovery system
Transmission Aston Martin 8-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic transmission operated via paddle shifters
Battery Honda lithium-ion battery
Weight770 kg (including driver, excluding fuel)
Fuel Aramco ProForce+
Lubricants Valvoline SynPower
Tyres
with Fondmetal forged magnesium wheels: 18"
Competition history
Notable entrants Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team
Notable drivers
Debut 2026 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
30000

The Aston Martin AMR26 is a Formula One car designed and developed by Aston Martin to compete in the 2026 Formula One World Championship. It is the sixth Formula One car entered by Aston Martin since rejoining the sport in 2021 and their first designed by Adrian Newey. It is currently being driven by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll, in their fourth and sixth season with Aston Martin, respectively.

Contents

Background

Development

Significant changes to the technical regulations were introduced for 2026, affecting both the chassis and engine. Therefore, the AMR26 features significant changes from its predecessor, the AMR25.[ citation needed ]

Engine

The AMR26 is powered by the Honda RA626H power unit, [1] being the first Aston Martin car to be powered by Honda, who returns to a fully fledged capacity from 2026 onwards and is the first Silverstone-based Formula One car to utilise a Japanese-licensed engine since customer Toyota-powered Midland M16 in 2006 season (including the Jordan era from 2005) as well as Honda full-works engine since Jordan EJ12 in 2002 season. [2] [3] It is also the first to be developed by Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile following their departure from Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, respectively. [4] [5] The Aston Martin AMR26 is also the first Formula One car to utilise full-scale Honda engines since the Red Bull Racing RB16B and Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 in the 2021 season, also the first Silverstone-based car to utilise an engine supplier other than Mercedes since the Ferrari-powered Force India VJM01 in the 2008 season and also the first-Honda powered Formula One car to utilize a fuel and lubricant supplier other than ExxonMobil since the McLaren MCL32 in the 2017 season when it used BP fuel and Castrol lubricant products due to Aston Martin's existing partnerships with Aramco and Valvoline. The AMR26, and by extension the RA626H, debuted on track at a private pre-season shakedown at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 27 January.[ citation needed ]

Development deficits

During the shakedown and subsequent test at Bahrain International Circuit, the Honda engine showcased numerous deficits; [6] not only did the team observe lower mileage than other teams, but the team recorded three breakdowns over all the tests, [7] and during the latter test, its recorded fastest time was four seconds slower than rival power units. [8] Honda confirmed that vibrations in the engine were damaging the battery system. [9]

The poor performance and unreliability of the Honda engine was so noticeable that Honda used up most of their spare parts during the Bahrain test alone, leaving them unprepared for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix to the point that they considered skipping the round by qualifying within the 107% rule and retiring early to conserve parts. [10] Furthermore, Honda admitted that the engine vibrations were strong enough that driving the car for an extended period of time could cause nerve damage. The vibrations also disallowed Honda from running the car at its full potential.

For the Australian Grand Prix, the team was considering a run limit of 25 laps before retiring both cars. [11] While Stroll was able to participate in the first practice, power unit issues forced Alonso out of participating. Stroll completed three laps before suffering similar issues. Due to these issues, the team used up all of their spare battery supplies, with the remaining two batteries left running in the cars themselves. Stroll was forced out of third practice due to an ICE issue. Despite a great start, passing seven cars on the first half of the opening lap, Alonso failed to finish the race after suffering an engine issue, but became the first driver to be sent back out into the race after retiring since Sergio Pérez in the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, before then retiring for a second time. Stroll was also sent back into the race after retiring, and was able to finish but was not classified, finishing 15 laps down. A similar thing was observed at the Chinese Grand Prix, with Alonso retiring due to the vibrations.[ citation needed ]

The vibrations were reportedly resolved by the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, Honda's home race, after Aston Martin tested a part on the Friday practice sessions that attempted to mitigate the issue. Alonso finished the race in 18th, marking Aston Martin's first finish of the year. [12]

Livery

The livery was revealed during a live event on 9 February 2026. While similar to its predecessor, the AMR26 featured a satin finish compared to the traditional metallic finish, as well as featuring a darker airbox and light blue rear wing. [13]

Complete Formula One results

Key
Key
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenOther points position
BlueOther classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
PurpleNot classified, retired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Did not enter (empty cell)
AnnotationMeaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap
Superscript
number		Points-scoring position
in sprint
YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPointsWCC
AUS CHN JPN MIA CAN MON BCN AUT GBR BEL HUN NED ITA ESP AZE SIN USA MXC SAP LVG QAT ABU
2026 Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Honda RA626H P Flag of Spain.svg Fernando Alonso RetRet180*11th*
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lance Stroll NCRetRet
Source:

* Season still in progress.

References

  1. ↑ Vinel, Ben (20 January 2026). "Honda launches F1 2026 power unit in new partnership with Aston Martin". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Scherr, Elana (24 May 2023). "Honda Teaming Up with Aston Martin for Formula 1 Racing in 2026". Car and Driver . Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Toyota to supply Midland with engines in 2006". Times of Malta. 1 August 2005.
  4. ↑ Benson, Andrew (10 September 2024). "F1 design great Newey joins Aston Martin". BBC Sport . Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  5. ↑ Edmonson, Laurence (9 July 2024). "Aston Martin hire ex-Ferrari technical chief Enrico Cardile". ESPN . Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  6. ↑ Mitchell-Malm, Scott (13 February 2026). "Why Newey's 2026 Aston Martin is so far behind already". The Race. Retrieved 17 February 2026. But the new AMR26 has had a troubled start. It was late joining the Barcelona test and struggled for mileage on the only full day it ran there, which continued into the start of this week's test in Bahrain. Days two and three have been more productive but the car looks difficult on track and Lance Stroll claimed on Thursday that Aston Martin is four seconds adrift. Team representative Pedro de la Rosa said on Friday "no one is happy when you are a second slower than what you were expecting" – indicating Aston Martin already thought it was in for a difficult start, and it is worse than that.
  7. ↑ Suttill, Josh (19 February 2026). "Aston Martin brings out red flag in first F1 test race simulation". The Race. Lance Stroll's Aston Martin had had a strange spin into the gravel on the exit of the Turn 11 left-hander during the first morning of the second Bahrain test on Wednesday. And towards the end of the first hour of the second Thursday session, the Aston Martin ground to a halt on the exit of the Turn 4 right-hander, with Fernando Alonso at the wheel.
  8. ↑ Cozens, Jack; Mitchell-Malm, Scott; Noble, Jon (12 February 2026). "Stroll's alarming verdict on Aston Martin's start to F1 2026". The Race. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Cleeren, Filip; Tanaka, Ken (27 February 2026). "Honda reveals cause of "extremely challenging" Aston Martin F1 engine issue" . Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  10. ↑ Nugnes, Franco (3 March 2026). "Honda reveals cause of "extremely challenging" Aston Martin F1 engine issue" . Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  11. ↑ Cleeren, Filip (5 March 2026). "Aston Martin F1 drivers limited to 25 laps to avoid nerve damage". Autosport.
  12. ↑ Mitchell-Malm, Scott (1 April 2026). "Why Aston Martin removed vibration fix and how it confused Alonso". The Race. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Aston Martin present new livery for 2026 season". www.formula1.com. 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
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