Alonso says Newey ‘always teaching us something’ as he reflects on driving new Aston Martin for first time

Fernando Alonso has been reflecting on Adrian Newey’s input after taking the designer’s debut Aston Martin car for its first laps during the Barcelona Shakedown, with the Spaniard admitting that Newey is “always teaching us something”.

While many teams started their programmes earlier in the week during the five-day event – with each squad permitted to run on three out of the five days – Aston Martin announced early on that they intended to run on Thursday and Friday.

It was during the latter half of Thursday afternoon that the British outfit sent the AMR26 out on track for its maiden laps with Lance Stroll at the wheel, before Alonso gained further mileage on Friday.

Sharing his initial thoughts on how the shakedown had gone for Aston Martin after jumping out of the car, Alonso said: “It was good. Definitely excited to be back in the car after the winter, and for us it’s the first day.

“I know some other teams did filming days or shakedowns at the beginning of January and then the whole week here in Barcelona, but for us it was really the very first days, so I think we had a positive one, 60+ laps and the car is responding well. First day, and more to come.”

As well as the introduction of new technical regulations in 2026, the season ahead also marks some big changes for Aston Martin, with the car being the first designed by Newey – who will also act as Team Principal going forward – while it is also the debut campaign of the squad’s partnership with Honda.

With all of that in mind, Alonso was quizzed on how special it felt to take the AMR26 out for the first time, to which the two-time World Champion smiled: “It was very special, yesterday with Lance and today with me in the car, it was special for us – the first car made by Adrian and together with Honda and Aramco and these new rules.

“And especially the last two weeks has been very, very intense, the factory trying to have the car ready and we just made it to Barcelona in the last two days. A tremendous effort from everyone – I think it was phenomenal, the last 48 hours, and thanks to everyone in the team here, at the factory, and looking forward to Bahrain now.”

Alonso went on to share an insight into the impact that Newey’s presence has had on the team since his arrival earlier last year.

“Everyone is super motivated when we see him in the garage taking care of all the details,” the Spanish driver explained.

“I see all the mechanics, the faces, everyone is looking at him, trying to spot something that maybe he comments about the car or he wants to improve. He’s teaching us always something.”