Aston Martin AMR26 Slower Than F2 Car in Miami as Team Skips Upgrades

Key facts

• Aston Martin was the only F1 team to declare zero changes to its AMR26 car before the Miami Grand Prix weekend.
• Mari Boya, Aston Martin's F2 driver, set a qualifying time of 1:40.554 in Miami, faster than Fernando Alonso's 1:41.311 in F1 sprint qualifying.
• The slowest F2 qualifying time (1:41.157) was still faster than Alonso's F1 sprint qualifying lap.
• Aston Martin's five-week break between races was unexpectedly long, yet the team introduced no visible upgrades.
• Pedro de la Rosa stated that changes were made but are not aerodynamic and were not declared to the FIA.
• Both Alonso and Lance Stroll were not classified in sprint qualifying but were allowed to start the race.
• Honda's trackside chief Shintaro Orihara said progress was made on vibration issues with countermeasures for the event.
• Team principal Mike Krack refused to comment on the power unit's performance, citing a policy of not discussing it.

Aston Martin's No-Upgrade Strategy Backfires in Miami

Aston Martin arrived at the Miami Grand Prix as the only Formula 1 team to declare zero changes to its car, the AMR26, for the weekend. The decision raised eyebrows across the paddock, especially after a five-week break that offered ample time for development. Haas, by contrast, had at least one modification—a diffuser change—while every other team brought updates. The team's gamble quickly unraveled on track. In Friday's Formula 2 qualifying session, Aston Martin's own F2 driver, 22-year-old Mari Boya, posted a lap of 1:40.554—faster than the time set by the team's two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso, in F1 sprint qualifying. Alonso's best effort was 1:41.311, a gap of over seven-tenths of a second. Even the slowest F2 qualifier, at 1:41.157, was quicker than Alonso's time.

Hidden Changes and Denials

Faced with an embarrassing performance gap, Aston Martin turned to Pedro de la Rosa, the team's ambassador and occasional spokesperson, to explain. De la Rosa insisted that changes had been made to the car, but they were not aerodynamic in nature and therefore did not need to be declared to the FIA. He did not specify what those changes were. The explanation did little to quell criticism. Observers noted that the team's blank declaration sheet spoke louder than any verbal assurance. The lack of visible upgrades, combined with the F2 comparison, fueled speculation about deeper issues within the Silverstone-based squad.

Alonso and Stroll Struggle with Power Unit Issues

Both Alonso and Lance Stroll encountered problems with their power units during the vibrations in the car were less severe than before, but the underlying issues persisted. The two drivers were not classified in sprint qualifying—a session that determines the grid for the sprint race—but were granted permission to start regardless. Alonso tried to put a brave face on the situation. "The others have been improving their cars since Japan. We have only worked on reliability," he said. "We must stay calm. Our program is different from that of other teams." His comments hinted at a strategic divergence, but the results on track told a different story.

Honda's Cautious Optimism on Vibration Fix

Honda, Aston Martin's power unit supplier, had warned before the Miami weekend not to expect miracles. Shintaro Orihara, the Japanese manufacturer's trackside chief, acknowledged progress on the vibration problems that have plagued the team. "We have introduced certain countermeasures for this event," Orihara said, without elaborating on their effectiveness. The vibrations have been a persistent issue for Aston Martin since the start of the season, affecting both drivability and performance. While Orihara expressed confidence in the direction, the lack of a clear breakthrough left questions unanswered.

Team Refuses to Discuss Power Unit Performance

Team principal Mike Krack, who has taken over media briefings in the absence of technical director Adrian Newey, was unequivocal: the team would not comment on the power unit's performance. The policy of silence extended to all questions about the Honda engine, leaving journalists and fans to draw their own conclusions. Krack's refusal to engage on the topic contrasted with the transparency of other teams, who routinely discuss engine upgrades and issues. The wall of silence only deepened the mystery surrounding Aston Martin's struggles.

What Lies Ahead for Aston Martin

The Miami weekend exposed a team in disarray. With no aerodynamic upgrades in the pipeline and a power unit that remains a sensitive topic, Aston Martin faces an uphill battle to regain competitiveness. The five-week break, rather than being a springboard for improvement, highlighted the team's inability to keep pace with rivals. Alonso's call for calm may be necessary, but the clock is ticking. The next race in Imola will be a test of whether the hidden changes de la Rosa spoke of can translate into tangible gains. If not, Aston Martin risks sliding further down the grid, with its F2 driver outperforming its F1 stars.

The bottom line

• Aston Martin was the only F1 team to declare zero car changes for Miami, despite a five-week break.
• Fernando Alonso's F1 sprint qualifying time was slower than every F2 driver's qualifying lap, including Aston Martin's own F2 rookie.
• Pedro de la Rosa claimed non-aerodynamic changes were made but not declared to the FIA.
• Both Alonso and Stroll had power unit issues and were not classified in sprint qualifying.
• Honda introduced countermeasures for vibrations but warned against expecting immediate results.
• Team principal Mike Krack refused to comment on the power unit, maintaining a policy of silence.