Fernando Alonso 'an F1 test driver' as Aston Martin struggles continue

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, China, 2026 — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Fernando Alonso 'an F1 test driver' as Aston Martin struggles continue

Alonso is doing very little racing in the AMR26

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Monday 6 April 2026 17:00

Fernando Alonso's 23rd season in F1 isn't going to plan so far.

The Aston Martin driver managed the team's first completed grand prix last time out, and the fact that that's a notable achievement should tell you all you need to know about how 2026 is going.

There are no quick fixes to Aston Martin's woes and their drivers will have to employ saint-like patience as they wait for Adrian Newey's project to fully come good...but this could take years.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, host Tom Clarkson, F1 pundits and former racing drivers Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe did a deep dive on Aston Martin, and Hinchcliffe expressed just how long their revival will take.

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He said: "This is absolutely a long-long programme, this is not going to happen quickly. This is not going to be easy. This is not going to be fun. But I think those in the team who stick it out and keep the morale high and keep the mentality in the right place, hopefully in two-three years will be rewarded. Because all the pieces are all there, but it’s just not come together.”

Co-star Palmer also agreed that Aston Martin's journey will be a long one, branding their 2026 car an 'all-time flop' and Alonso effectively a test driver.

Alonso's a test driver and Aston Martin are just driving around in circles

He explained: "I’ve seen a different side of Fernando here, the patience game. Thinking ‘it’s not right, but what are we going to do about it?' It’s a calm side."

"And things are bad. It’s one of the all-time flops that we’re watching right now. Aston Martin can only finish a race if they’re running really down on power, to try and get some level of drivability and reliability out of it. And they can just get one car to the end after three grands prix. It’s terrible."

Palmer then later compared Alonso to a test driver, and said: "We’re into 2002 Fernando here, aren’t we? He’s a test driver. For the first time in 25 years he’s a Formula 1 test driver and that’s all Aston Martin are doing. It’s just such a crying shame that they are not even competitive, they finished behind a Cadillac."

“There’s nothing to play for, for him or Lance. Every weekend they turn up, they drive around in circles, they’ll report a balance, it doesn’t even really matter at this stage. The car’s down on downforce. But it can’t even get to the end of the race, it can’t get near a Q2.

"And then so much of the job is clearly on Honda’s side and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a quick fix. Before Japan they didn’t know what was causing the vibrations still."

Will ADUO help Aston Martin and Honda?

Honda are likely to benefit from the FIA's lifeline for power unit manufacturers, Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), which allows for additional upgrades every six races in the season.

Aston Martin and Honda are likely to receive ADUO, with a manufacturer qualifying for one additional upgrade if their ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Performance Index is at least two per cent but less than four per cent below the best-performing ICE.

A manufacturer can receive two upgrades this season if their ICE Performance Index is at least four per cent below the best-performing ICE.

However, Palmer believes that the ADUO won't act as a magic wand and instantly fix Aston Martin's issues, and argued that deeper exploration needs to happen back at Sakura.

He continued: "So ADUO or not, Honda have got to understand exactly what is going on before they can even think about bringing performance upgrades and genuine fixes."

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