Aston Martin splits Bahrain test days: Stroll takes two, Alonso handed the crucial middle session

Aston Martin has confirmed its driver plan for the first week of testing in Bahrain: Lance Stroll will drive on Wednesday and Friday, while Fernando Alonso will take the wheel of the AMR26 on Thursday.

The structure keeps things simple and avoids mid‑day seat swaps. It also suggests that Wednesday will be another day focused on installation laps and constant garage checks, meaning Stroll will likely need to log mileage similar to what Alonso completed in Barcelona.

The AMR26 to get a thorough workout in Bahrain

The Canadian, who managed only two full laps in Montmeló, reflected on the situation: “We pushed everything to the limit, that’s why we arrived late, but everyone is motivated. With Honda and Adrian (Newey), it’s a huge opportunity for us, even though we still have a lot to learn. We want to get to Melbourne very competitive, but it’s a long season and development will be intense.”

“Adrian already said it — he pushed everything to the limit and made the car very aggressive. It looks great, but the most beautiful car is the fast one,” Stroll added. He enters his tenth F1 season with three career podiums.

On working with the legendary designer, Stroll was enthusiastic: “It’s inspiring to talk to him about the car, about its strengths and weaknesses. He has an incredible understanding of what makes a car good, almost like a driver. There aren’t many like Newey — his results speak for themselves. He’s an artist. He thinks in a unique way, and that’s special. I’m excited to start the season with the development and progression ahead of us, because we have huge potential as a team.”

Stroll also weighed in on comments from other drivers about the characteristics of the new‑generation cars. George Russell recently pointed out the oddity of downshifting on the straights to recharge the battery or doing lift‑and‑coast in qualifying. Stroll joked: “I’m sure George, when maybe he’s winning the race in Australia by 30 seconds in his Mercedes, isn’t going to mind downshifting on the straights and lifting and coasting too much.”

“Normally with new regulations, there’s always a big field spread,” he told this outlet, expecting big gaps in Melbourne.

Alonso also laughed at remarks from Lando Norris, who said McLaren lost a huge amount of downforce — around 100 to 120 points — in the transition from the MCL39 to the MCL40 due to the new architecture. “They say they lost 100 or 120 points of downforce. We’ve lost much less, so the adaptation will be easier,” Alonso said.

Regarding the controversy around the Mercedes power unit — which the FIA could still rule illegal — Alonso added: “It would be nice to have the same rules and the same conditions as everyone else. It’s not right to start behind someone who explored something they shouldn’t have explored.”

But before worrying about rivals, Aston Martin needs to put serious mileage on an AMR26 that remains a mystery. “By the end of the Bahrain test we’ll know where we stand,” Alonso concluded.

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