Carlos Sainz says he’s facing the same challenges as Fernando Alonso in 2026

Aston Martin and Williams both came into the new season with high hopes, but pre-season hasn’t gone as planned for either team. Both have struggled to build momentum after a 2025 campaign that raised expectations.

After two rounds of testing, Aston Martin find themselves already playing catch-up to the rest of the field. Their Honda power unit hasn’t kept pace with the competition, and there’s even some doubt about whether the AMR26 has enough speed to qualify for the opening race in Australia.

Williams haven’t had an ideal start either, though their situation isn’t quite as worrying as Aston Martin’s. Carlos Sainz has pointed out that the new regulations have highlighted some of Williams’ existing weaknesses, and early signs suggest they may struggle to match last year’s fifth-place finish.

Carlos Sainz sheds light on the situation he and Fernando Alonso face in 2026

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo after F1’s final pre-season test in Bahrain, Sainz opened up about Fernando Alonso’s outlook on his situation at Aston Martin this season. He said:

“In the end, we both depend on nothing more and nothing less than seeing the reaction capacity we have in our team to the complicated situation in which each of us finds ourselves, but I also wish him all the best, and I hope that Aston Martin and Honda improve on what they showed in Bahrain.”

Williams’ main concern centres around the FW48’s weight issue. While other teams are optimising their cars right up to the minimum limit, Williams are still playing catch-up.

Upgrades are reportedly in development, but it’s unclear how quickly Sainz and teammate Alex Albon will be able to adjust before meaningful sessions begin in Melbourne.

Aston Martin are also waiting for changes. Honda are hopeful they can make progress, but a significant power unit upgrade isn’t expected until after the opening round.

Adrian Newey faces early challenges after Aston Martin debut falls short

The AMR26 was one of the most anticipated cars heading into 2026, but the excitement hasn’t translated onto the track.

There are reports that some within Aston Martin have been left ‘a little disappointed’ by Adrian Newey’s first effort, and it’s clear there are already some concerns inside the team.

Nobody is more frustrated than team owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian billionaire was seen looking visibly angry in the Bahrain paddock, which isn’t surprising given how much he’s invested in this project.

How both teams respond to their early setbacks could shape their seasons, and fans will be watching closely to see if they can turn things around. Stroll has every right to feel frustrated considering how much he’s put into this project over the years.