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Aston Martin Struggles Leave Alonso Fighting Mental Battle, Newey Admits

Aston Martin has endured a troubling start to the 2026 season, with performance gaps exposed during practice sessions. Team principal Adrian Newey has revealed that the challenging circumstances have taken a psychological toll on driver Fernando Alonso.

Aston Martin Struggles Leave Alonso Fighting Mental Battle, Newey Admits

The weight of Aston Martin's disappointing early-season performance is bearing down on Fernando Alonso, according to team principal Adrian Newey, who candidly acknowledged that the Spanish driver is navigating difficult emotional terrain amid the squad's struggles.

Practice sessions have laid bare the extent of Aston Martin's competitiveness issues this season, with the gap to the front of the grid becoming increasingly apparent. Newey did not shy away from the severity of the situation, describing the mental challenge facing Alonso as he contends with a car that continues to underperform expectations.

The revelation highlights how deeply the team's early-season woes have penetrated beyond mere statistics and lap times. For a driver of Alonso's caliber and experience, the frustration of piloting an uncompetitive machine represents more than a technical obstacle—it has become a psychological hurdle that requires careful management.

As Aston Martin looks to turn around its fortunes, addressing both the mechanical deficiencies and the mental resilience of its driver will prove crucial to the team's championship aspirations moving forward through the 2026 campaign.

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