Aston Martin has admitted it still faces significant work to improve the AMR26 after arriving at the Miami Grand Prix without a single aerodynamic upgrade. The Silverstone-based team currently sits at the bottom of the constructors’ championship without scoring a point after the opening four rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
While rivals including Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing introduced extensive development packages in Miami, Aston Martin chose to focus on solving the AMR26’s fundamental technical problems before bringing new aerodynamic parts. The decision highlights how the team remains in a stabilisation phase following an extremely difficult start to the campaign.
Former team principal and current chief trackside officer Mike Krack explained that Aston Martin’s priority so far has been improving reliability, reducing vibrations, and enhancing drivability rather than pursuing immediate aerodynamic gains. According to Krack, the team has already made substantial progress in a relatively short period despite the lack of visible results in the standings.
“We had extraordinary problems when the season started, but the speed at which we used resources to improve the situation was quite remarkable. There is still a big gap to close, and this is clearly not the work of one week,” Krack said.
One of Aston Martin’s biggest issues this season has been severe battery vibrations within the power unit, which directly affected driver comfort and physical condition. Fernando Alonso was forced to withdraw from the Chinese Grand Prix because of discomfort that raised concerns about possible nerve damage, while Lance Stroll also reported similar problems throughout the early stages of the season.
Those technical complications significantly limited Aston Martin’s ability to execute consistent setup work and performance development across race weekends. Prior to Miami, the team’s only classified finish had been Alonso’s P18 at Suzuka. Miami eventually provided a small step forward after Aston Martin recorded its first double finish of the season, with Alonso finishing P15 and Stroll P17.
Krack insisted Aston Martin still believes there is considerable untapped potential within the current AMR26 package. He argued the team has not yet achieved optimal execution in several areas, including energy management, drivability, and overall setup efficiency during race weekends.
Beyond the technical difficulties, the delayed aerodynamic development programme has also raised questions regarding Aston Martin’s broader strategy for the 2026 campaign, particularly after Alonso suggested major upgrades may not arrive until after the summer break. However, the team believes resolving the car’s core structural weaknesses remains more important before introducing significant aero changes.
Aston Martin now faces growing pressure to reduce the gap to the Formula 1 midfield. With the new 2026 regulations placing greater emphasis on power unit integration, energy efficiency, and aerodynamic stability, the team’s ability to solve the AMR26’s underlying issues could define the direction of its entire season.
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