While Formula 1 enjoys its summer break, some teams are already gearing up for a revolutionary 2026 season—and Aston Martin may be falling behind.
During a special Pirelli tire test held at the Hungaroring after the Hungarian GP, teams like McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine, and Racing Bulls were given the opportunity to test next-gen tire compounds—but Aston Martin was not among them.
🔍 What Was Tested?
Pirelli focused on its soft tire range (C3, C4, C5) during this session. These compounds are expected to be finalized by August 31, giving teams that participated an early performance edge. While Aston Martin will still receive data from these tests, they’ll be playing catch-up when it comes to understanding how the new tires interact with car setups.
📉 Why It’s Bad News for Aston Martin
Tire wear has long been a weak spot for Aston Martin. The upcoming 2026 regulations make things even more complex—cars will be smaller, lighter, and the tire dimensions will shrink (22mm smaller in front and 300mm at the rear, while keeping the 18-inch rims).
This shift will change car dynamics significantly, especially regarding grip and cornering. Teams that participated in the test can now simulate, adjust, and strategize based on real-world data. Aston Martin, meanwhile, will have to rely solely on simulations, which their team has admitted aren’t perfectly calibrated.
🆕 What About the Mobile Front Wing?
The mobile front wing—a major component of the 2026 regulations replacing DRS—was also approved for testing. While no team actively used it during these tests, they now have the chance to experiment with real-time aerodynamic changes, which can affect tire performance and handling.
The FIA is monitoring closely to ensure the new aero components align with the goals of the 2026 overhaul.
🕒 Test Results – Not for Lap Times, But for Learning
Although the focus wasn’t on setting records, Alpine’s Aron clocked the fastest lap at 1:18.789, nearly 3 seconds slower than Leclerc’s pole time (1:15.372). This is normal given the older chassis and test-focused setups. But the feedback gathered could be crucial for development heading into next year.
🟢 What’s Next for Alonso and Aston Martin?
With competitors already collecting hands-on experience, Aston Martin must work harder to optimize the AMR26 for tire management and aerodynamic performance. Given their exclusion from the test, they’ll need to lean heavily on Pirelli’s shared data and improve simulator accuracy if they want to remain competitive in 2026.
