Mercedes F1 driver George Russell has downplayed the significance of the 2026 Aston Martin car design envisioned by Adrian Newey, claiming that the car needs to be fast rather than just look great. The Briton admitted that the AMR26 stood out in terms of design during the Barcelona Pre-Season Test, specifically mentioning the rear suspension.
Mercedes and its drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, could well have been the happiest parties post the first pre-season test ahead of the 2026 season at Barcelona, which concluded after five days on January 30. The Silver Arrows completed 500 laps in Spain, more than any other team, while the Mercedes power unit also completed the most laps out of any manufacturer.
Reliability was the key focus for most teams in Barcelona, and the Mercedes engine seems to be delivering at the highest level on this front based on first impressions. Russell and Antonelli also set pretty handy lap times, although the fastest time of the week came from Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari.
But it was another team and car design that seemed to catch the eye of George Russell at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, even though it only made a relatively brief appearance. After delays surrounding their car, Aston Martin were only able to run on the final two days of the test and even had a problem on their first outing, which limited them to four laps all day.
But what many, including George Russell, noted was the aggressive car design of the AMR26, which is the first Aston Martin machine designed by the legendary Adrian Newey. Russell explained that the car looked to be the most unique, but added that what matters more is if it is quick or not.
“The Aston Martin was probably the most standout in terms of the car design. Everybody was looking at that rear suspension, and it obviously visually looks very impressive, but it’s not a competition of how sexy it is. It’s a competition of how fast it goes around the track,” said George Russell [via The Race].
“So people always look towards the fastest car, and we’ll find that out in Melbourne. Whoever that is, that will be the car that you wish to try and take inspiration from,” he added.
It remains to be seen what kind of trajectory Aston Martin go on in 2026 and beyond, but the expectations are high with Adrian Newey and Honda onboard amidst the new regulations era that promise so much.
George Russell Wary of Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin in 2026
Following the Barcelona Pre-Season Test, George Russell also explained that he was not counting out Aston Martin in 2026, especially thanks to Adrian Newey and Honda’s record in F1 previously. Both the aforementioned parties are now onboard the Silverstone-based team’s project.
Speaking during the test about how he is not discounting any team at this early stage, Russell shared his admiration for Aston Martin, saying:
“What Adrian has done with that car, it looks pretty spectacular. And Honda, over the past few years with Red Bull, have had a very good engine beneath them. We also know what they’re capable of.”
Aston Martin ended its partnership with Mercedes at the end of the 2025 season after using the German company’s engine and gearbox since it debuted in F1 in 2021. Now, the Lawrence Stroll team has allied with Honda for an exclusive partnership, as the Japanese company also ended ties with Red Bull following seven years filled with success.
It still remains unclear how well Honda and Aston Martin will be able to cope with the 2026 regulations, and all will only become clear once the cars hit the track at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8.
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