The return of F1 to Miami is already turning into a disaster for Aston Martin, struggling greatly from the very first sessions of the sprint weekend.
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After five weeks of break meant to fix the weaknesses of the AMR26 car, Aston Martin hoped to restart its season. But the reality is harsh: the British team arrived in Miami with the same problems, if not worsened.
From the free practice sessions, both cars were held back by a technical issue in the garage, significantly delaying their track time. A situation that immediately compromised their preparation program on the Miami Grand Prix circuit.
Performances far below expectations
The real blow came during the sprint qualifying. Lance Stroll simply failed to record any representative time, staying off pace from the very first attempts.
On his side, Fernando Alonso managed to set a time, but it was far from enough to hope to advance to SQ2. His lap was even judged too slow, well outside the famous 107% rule, which normally conditions participation in sessions and races.
Result: both drivers now find themselves in a very precarious position, awaiting the stewards’ decision. They must determine if the two Aston Martins will be allowed to start the sprint race.
Read more Lando Norris opens up after a chaotic sprint qualifying
A worsening negative trend
The start of the weekend only confirmed the team’s structural difficulties. During the tests, the situation was already worrying: long waits in the pit, lack of running, and immediately off-pace rhythm.
Once finally on track, Stroll finished last on the timing sheet, while Alonso had to settle for a modest 19th place in a session extended to 90 minutes. Performances that illustrate the growing gap with the rest of the field.
This new setback adds to a series of complicated weekends for the Silverstone-based team. Despite the introduced upgrades and development time granted during the break, Aston Martin still cannot close its gap.
The contrast is all the more striking as the competition has, meanwhile, used the break to introduce major improvements, making the fight even tougher.
In Miami, the goal is no longer to perform, but simply to save what can be saved… if the stewards allow both cars to race.
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