Dec.1 (GMM) Aston Martin has quietly dismissed a paddock rumour that Honda may not be ready for the first 2026 pre-season tests – a theory floated in Qatar by former Alpine boss Marcin Budkowski, now working with Eleven Sports.
Budkowski suggested Aston would publicly frame the delay as Adrian Newey wanting more time to keep working on the car, but privately believed the issue lay with Honda.
The team denied the claim and offered no further comment.
Newey’s surprise elevation to team principal for 2026 stunned the paddock, and his presence in Qatar – only his second appearance at a 2025 race – coincided with a rare strong weekend for Fernando Alonso, who finished seventh.
“He hasn’t started yet,” Alonso told AS. “We saw him at meetings and for the technical aspects of the weekend. But he was an extra engineer on our side, an extra perspective on the setup, the strategy.
“It was good to see the focus, the determination he represents, the search for performance in every detail.”
Some believe Newey lacks the temperament for a front-facing team boss role, but Alonso pushed back.
“It’s very interesting because he’s very active,” he said. “He came to other races to observe, to listen and get a general overview. But now he’s very involved – the meetings with him are longer, and when we finish, he always asks two or three specific people two or three questions, sometimes even the drivers.”
“I think he’s going to help us improve, because everything he says makes a lot of sense and he also has a performance perspective,” added the two-time champion.
“Often the briefings are long, we discuss all the sensations of the car but there are no conclusions about how to make the car faster. He has those conclusions in his head and analyses them, so I think he’ll help us grow.”
Aston Martin’s 2025 struggles have been stark, with Alonso again emphasising how difficult the AMR25 has been to drive.
“The car is totally undrivable at times, much more difficult than it looks on TV,” he told DAZN.
Still, P7 in Qatar was a rare bright spot. “Happy? Wow, imagine! I’ve only scored – what – 30 points all year and I got 8 here,” Alonso smiled.
“All the sessions were in the top 10, and in the race, since you can’t overtake on this circuit and with the strategy everyone was already committed to the same stops, we just had to maintain position and it worked out.”
But the Spaniard admitted the underlying picture remains grim. “It hasn’t been a year to remember. We’ve had enormous difficulties. Even today, if everyone had had a clear track, I think we would have finished much further back,” he said.
“We qualify well on Saturdays, but on Sundays, on circuits where overtaking is possible, we gradually fall back.”
The Indianapolis 500 is an American tradition, and the 2026 race marks the 110th year of this historic event. Guests of Grand Prix Tours will enjoy premium accommodations, options for exclusive suite access, and unforgettable race-day experiences, including a police escort to the track. Highlights include visits to the newly renovated Indy 500 Museum, Gasoline Alley, and the Dallara IndyCar Factory, plus patriotic pre-race festivities like the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Join us for our 41st trip to the legendary Indy 500!
SHOW PACKAGES
The Monaco Grand Prix, often called the crown jewel of Formula 1, is one of the most prestigious races in the world and part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting in 2026, the race will move from May to June to better align with the F1 schedule, placing the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the season. Grand Prix Tours has taken care of all of the details and has arranged an amazing motorsports vacation. Call 949 719 3350 to book your trip or to contact us with any questions.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, a fan favorite on the F1 calendar. The city comes alive for race week packed with energy, events, and unforgettable nightlife. This year, the action shifts to Memorial Day weekend (late May), part of F1’s new, eco-friendly schedule. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the atmosphere where motorsport meets Montreal magic. Book your spot now this one sells out fast!
SHOW PACKAGES