Fernando Alonso calls Aston Martin's car the worst on grid after last‑place qualifying in Barcelona

Double world champion Fernando Alonso qualified last (22nd) at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix, ending a 42‑race streak of out‑qualifying teammate Lance Stroll. He said the Aston Martin‑Honda package is “the worst car and the worst engine” on the grid, citing poor aerodynamics, unreliable gearbox, and weak energy deployment. The team’s new partnership with Honda has struggled to merge the power unit with its in‑house gearbox, and reliability issues forced Stroll to retire early in the race.

Alonso warned that the Barcelona circuit highlights the car’s shortcomings, but the team plans a major upgrade package for the second half of the 2026 season rather than incremental fixes. With only one point from Monaco, Aston Martin sits near the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship. The Spanish Grand Prix will not return to the calendar until 2028, moving to a new Madrid venue.

Alonso expressed exhaustion at repeatedly explaining the problems, saying “we repeat the same thing every weekend – it’s exhausting,” but remains hopeful that the upcoming car development will improve performance later in the season.