Newey sees signs new Aston Martin will put an end to ‘complete nightmare’ start to the season

Adrian Newey says the initial indications from Aston Martin’s new car are promising, as he looks to move on from the “complete nightmare” 2026 season so far at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Aston Martin has introduced a heavily updated car iat the Hungaroring, after deciding against incremental developments due to the struggles it was facing with its initial design. Speaking ahead of an FP2 session that Lance Stroll missed following an earlier suspension failure, Newey said the first track running had positive signs that the car would move Aston Martin forwards.

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“The first races have been a complete nightmare,” Newey said. “Hopefully, we can get at least to point of respectability now. I think that is the immediate goal. From there, we can try to keep moving forward.

“Provisional results are promising. It’s only part of the package, so we’ll have some more steps in Zandvoort and then further in Monza/Baku. It’s the first part of our planned upgrade. We’re very short on parts, so we’re being careful with it and trying to learn all about it.

“It’s an evolution, inasmuch as the chassis is the same, the layout’s the same, the front suspension’s the same. So, it’s very much an aerodynamic evolution. We were very short on research time prior to the launch of the car back in Barcelona in February. So, it’s really been a matter of taking a step back, trying to understand and going forward with this package.

“I’ve never been a fan of setting goals. I’m much more a fan of working logically through problems, getting everybody working together, getting the culture together and then, at that point, you end up where you end up.

“What I have found over the years is, when you’re not winning, it seems an impossible mountain to climb. When you are winning, sometimes you’re not sure how you got there, because you’re not actually doing anything different, or you don’t feel as if you’re doing anything different.”

Aston Martin will further benefit from an updated Honda power unit at the first race after the August break, and Newey is optimistic there has been significant progress in the way the team works with its engine partner.

“I think what’s really progressed is actually the word you just used: relationship. Out of what can only be called a disastrous start, the positive of that – because you’re always looking for positives – is that it’s brought Honda and ourselves, AMR, into a very close working relationship.

“We continue to develop that in all areas. So, I’m very happy with the progress we’re making from a relationship point of view. Normally, if relationships improve, then performance also improves.”