Lance Stroll has identified high-speed corner performance as a critical weakness for Aston Martin’s AMR26, adding another item to the team’s growing list of challenges in what has been a torrid start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Silverstone-based squad has struggled with multiple issues since the season began, including battery reliability problems and severe cockpit vibrations that prevented either Stroll or Fernando Alonso from completing a full race distance until the recent Japanese Grand Prix.
At Suzuka, Stroll retired with a water pressure fault, while Alonso reached the chequered flag a lap down on winner Kimi Antonelli. The package remains uncompetitive, running seconds off the leading pace, with the Honda power unit down on outright power.
Broader Problems Beyond Power Unit
While the power unit deficiencies have dominated headlines, Stroll pointed to aerodynamic limitations that have received less attention.
“We know we have issues on the engine side. There are areas we need to work on with the car. I think high-speed corners are still a weakness for us. So yeah, we’re just trying to improve in all areas that need work, and it’s just about bringing performance as quick as we can.”
The chassis and aerodynamic platform of the AMR26 — Adrian Newey’s first Formula 1 car for Aston Martin — have fallen short of early expectations. Newey himself believes the package has the potential to be the fifth-quickest on the grid this year, suggesting significant untapped performance remains in the design.
Team Morale Under Pressure
Asked about the mood within the team, Stroll acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the collective commitment to improvement.
“Everyone’s just working as hard as they can to improve the situation, for sure. None of us are happy with where we are. It’s not the start to the season that we hoped for, but it is what it is, and we’re just working as hard as possible to improve it.”
The Japanese Grand Prix marked a small milestone for the team, with Alonso finally completing a full race distance after reliability issues had curtailed both drivers’ campaigns in the opening rounds. However, the competitive gap to the front remains substantial, and the team faces pressure to deliver performance upgrades quickly.
Path Forward for Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s development priorities now span multiple areas: power unit performance, high-speed aerodynamic efficiency, and ongoing reliability concerns. The team’s ability to extract the potential Newey sees in the AMR26’s design will be critical as the season progresses.
With the Miami Grand Prix scheduled for the weekend of May 2-4, Aston Martin will aim to bring incremental improvements while working on more substantial upgrades for the European leg of the championship. Whether those developments can close the gap to the midfield — let alone the front-runners — remains the team’s most pressing question heading into the next race.