Aston Martin sets launch date for AMR26 - first Newey-led F1 car

The Aston Martin F1 team has locked in the moment its highly anticipated Adrian Newey era truly begins.

The Silverstone-based outfit announced on Monday that its 2026 challenger, the AMR26, will be unveiled on 9 February, marking the debut of the first Formula 1 car shaped under the guidance of the legendary designer – and the squad’s incoming team principal.

The reveal was delivered with trademark Aston understatement: a crisp social media post reading simply “AMR26 arrives,” accompanied by the launch date.

But the implications are anything but subtle. With sweeping new technical regulations arriving in 2026 and Newey now steering the technical vision, this car represents one of the most anticipated projects in modern F1.

A New Chapter Ahead of a Defining Season

The Silverstone outfit becomes the first team to confirm its 2026 unveiling, beating rivals to the punch while Red Bull and Racing Bulls will limit their 15 January event in the United States to livery presentations in collaboration with Ford.

Aston Martin’s physical launch comes just ahead of a packed pre-season schedule: the AMR26 will join the collective test in Barcelona from 26–30 January before Bahrain testing opens on 11–13 and 18–20 February.

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll remain the driving duo entrusted with bringing the green machines to life.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. After sagging from fifth to a current seventh in the 2025 constructors’ standings despite owner Lawrence Stroll’s heavy investment, the team is entering a critical reset phase.

• Read also: Newey says Aston Martin team boss role ‘won’t change workload’

The shake-up at the top has been swift – with Andy Cowell replacing Mike Krack as team principal at the start of 2025 and the latter assuming the role of chief trackside officer.

But another rotation will take place at the end of the year, with Newey taking over as team principal and Cowell transitioning into a newly created chief strategy officer position.

Whether AMR26 marks the turning point Stroll has been demanding is the looming question. But one thing is certain: the countdown to Aston Martin’s most pivotal car in decades has officially begun.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook