Aston Martin’s AMR26 began wind-tunnel development about four months later than rivals yet impressed in Barcelona—punters should expect early-season inconsistency. Betting angle: avoid backing Aston as a safe early favourite in Melbourne; consider each-way or antepost value bets for mid-season gains as upgrades arrive.
Newey admits Aston Martin started 2026 wind-tunnel work months behind rivals
Adrian Newey confirmed Aston Martin's 2026 car development only entered the wind tunnel in mid-April, leaving the team roughly four months adrift of competitors. Newey, who joined the F1 racing team last March, said the AMR26 was put together on an extremely compressed schedule, forcing the programme to prioritise fundamentals over rapid-fit extreme concepts.
Compressed timetable and a late Barcelona shakedown
Aston Martin arrived late to the Barcelona shakedown, making track runs on the penultimate day and completing just 65 laps versus 502 for the leading team. The limited mileage highlighted the tight turnaround Newey described and underlined why the squad was racing to be ready ahead of further testing.
Design caught the paddock’s eye despite limited running
The AMR26 drew immediate attention for radical suspension mounting points and tightly packaged sidepods. Rivals and drivers flagged the car as one of the most intriguing designs on display, yet visual flair must translate into lap-time performance once the season begins in Melbourne.
Long-term development over snap solutions
Newey stressed the AMR26 was conceived with in-season development potential in mind rather than maximum initial optimisation. The team focused on core aerodynamic and mechanical fundamentals, leaving wings and addenda as areas for iterative upgrades throughout the year.
What this means for the early season and betting
The delayed wind-tunnel programme suggests Aston Martin could be a development dark horse: capable of strong gains as upgrades arrive but vulnerable to early-season volatility. Punters should weigh the AMR26’s upside for mid-to-late season value rather than treating it as a nailed-on favourite for the opening rounds.
Next steps: Bahrain test and Melbourne opener
Testing resumes in Bahrain next week ahead of the season opener on March 8 in Melbourne, Australia. The real pace picture will emerge there and across the opening rounds as teams convert wind-tunnel concepts into race-ready upgrades.
Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey has revealed his team's 2026 car started wind tunnel development four months later than its rivals, but that hasn't stopped the new AMR26 turning heads in testing.
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