Even before the start of the season, tensions are reportedly running high at the Aston Martin F1 Team. According to Sport Bild, team owner Lawrence Stroll has held several crisis meetings with senior management following a worrying pre-season test in Bahrain. Some of these meetings are said to have been ‘heated’.
Videos circulating on social media appear to reflect the mood within the team. They show Stroll leaving the paddock looking frustrated and offering little encouragement to a team that had once spoken openly about competing at the forefront of Formula 1’s new era.
Instead, the Silverstone-based outfit now faces uncomfortable questions about whether it risks slipping backwards.
The anxiety is not without reason. During testing, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll found themselves posting lap times slower than those of the new Cadillac entry, a scenario that would have been unthinkable twelve months ago.
Echoes of Red Bull’s 2014 nightmare?
For long-time observers, the situation bears uncomfortable similarities to Red Bull Racing’s infamous struggles during pre-season testing in 2014. Back then, the team’s new Renault hybrid power unit repeatedly failed during winter testing in Jerez. Overheating issues, electrical problems and cars breaking down on the track painted a picture of chaos.
TJ13 was on the ground reporting that week as the reigning world champions struggled through the sessions, completing only a fraction of their rivals’ mileage. There were whispers in the paddock that Red Bull could start the season in disarray.
Yet, by the time Formula 1 reached Melbourne for the season opener, the narrative had shifted dramatically. Daniel Ricciardo stunned the grid by qualifying second and finishing on the podium for Red Bull. Although he was later disqualified due to a fuel flow irregularity, his performance demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change between testing and race day.
There is a distinct difference in the current situation; however, this time is less about the engine and more about the gearbox.
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Gearbox concerns add to the pressure
Spanish outlet Marca has highlighted a more fundamental technical issue: the gearbox. According to the report, a significant proportion of Aston Martin’s problems on the track stem from transmission-related issues. A complete redesign or replacement has reportedly been discussed.
If accurate, this would be a major concern. Gearbox architecture affects packaging, weight distribution, cooling, and the overall aerodynamic design. Replacing it mid-cycle is neither quick nor straightforward. Marca suggests the process could take up to six months, effectively half a season.
In a tightly packed midfield, losing six months of development momentum could be catastrophic. Aston Martin had positioned itself as an emerging powerhouse, bolstered by major investment and state-of-the-art facilities. Falling towards the back of the grid would represent not just a sporting setback, but a reputational one too.
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Crisis meetings and structural changes
According to our reporter in the paddock in Bahrain, it seems that Aston Martin has already initiated significant personnel reshuffles. Changes in the race engineering department, which is the most crucial link between driver and car performance, suggest deeper dissatisfaction.
Alonso will now work with Chris Cronin on race weekends. His previous race engineer, Andrew Vizard, will remain with the team but will no longer serve as the two-time world champion’s primary radio contact. Meanwhile, Gary Cannon, who previously worked with Lance Stroll, has been reassigned, with Stephen Glass taking over the role. Glass has been with the team since its Racing Point days and is considered a reliable internal appointment.
Such mid-stream changes are rarely cosmetic. They tend to signal a belief that communication, data interpretation or setup direction requires urgent improvement. For a driver of Alonso’s calibre, having a clear and trusting relationship with his engineering team is non-negotiable.
Montoya weighs in
Former Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya has offered a measured perspective on past scenarios that Aston Martin is facing. Cautioned against overreacting to winter testing, he notes that teams use different fuel loads, engine modes, and experimental setups. Having worked with Newey at McLaren, Montoya sees testing form as an unreliable indicator.
“If you look at all the cars, they all look the same, except the Aston,” he noted. “That means either no one has figured it out, or everyone is sandbagging.”
In his view, aerodynamic concepts will evolve significantly before Melbourne. Testing programmes are often more about correlation and data gathering than outright speed. And if there is one designer known for holding something back until it matters, it is Newey.
“Adrian won’t use his full package until then,” suggested Montoya, implying that Bahrain may not reflect Aston Martin’s true performance level.
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Back to the drawing board, or playing it down?
There is a possibility that Aston Martin is sandbagging, concealing true performance while focusing on reliability runs. Testing is notorious for illusion and misdirection. However, the visible frustration of senior management suggests that their concerns are genuine.
Unlike Red Bull in 2014, Aston Martin is not entering this season as a reigning champion with the institutional confidence that comes with it. Its ambitious growth plan, driven by Lawrence Stroll’s investment and long-term vision, demands visible progress.
As the season opener approaches, one thing is clear: nerves are already frayed. Whether this proves to be a temporary storm or the start of a challenging campaign will become evident once the lights go out in Melbourne.
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NEXT ARTICLE – Lewis Hamilton & Charles Leclerc Have a Massive Advantage in 2026?
Pre-season testing rarely provides definitive answers, but it can sometimes reveal structural changes. In Bahrain this week, during preparations for the 2026 campaign, Ferrari did not just look competitive; it looked fundamentally different, even to the previous week of testing. But it isn’t just the peculiar rear wing 180 rotating drag reduction, or the odd gearbox wings with their swept back drive shafts that have the paddock talking this evening.
Most striking was the visual evidence from practice grid starts today that seem to suggest Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may hold one of the most decisive advantages of the new regulatory era.
During multiple launch simulations at the Bahrain International Circuit, Ferrari-powered cars surged forward with striking immediacy. Hamilton, who was lined up several rows back in one evening simulation, sped through the pack before the first braking zone.
Even accounting for empty grid slots and varied engine modes, the difference in initial acceleration was clear. Engineers and team personnel watching trackside were struck by how cleanly and predictably the red cars delivered power compared to rivals that appeared momentarily hesitant.
This was not an isolated incident. The Ferrari-powered Haas of Esteban Ocon also demonstrated strong and consistent launches. What stood out was consistency. While some competitors struggled to find the right engine rev window or appeared to balance turbo preparation with hybrid deployment awkwardly, Ferrari’s system appeared composed and…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
Craig.J. Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
