Lance Stroll Ends Fernando Alonso's Record Streak at Aston Martin. Lance Stroll outqualified Fernando Alonso for the first time in 42 races. Aston Martin found itself among the backmarkers at the start of the season once again. The drivers are openly discussing the team's problems.
In Barcelona, Aston Martin once again found itself in the spotlight—not due to successes, but because of a prolonged crisis. In the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, both team drivers occupied the last positions: Fernando Alonso will start last, Lance Stroll—second to last. For the British team, this is another alarming signal amid an unsuccessful start to the season.
The main news was the end of a record streak: for the first time in 42 races, Stroll outqualified Alonso. This result brought the team no points, but became a symbol of change within the team. Stroll himself did not hide his fatigue with the situation and told journalists that he does not care about internal statistics as long as the team is fighting at the back of the grid.
Aston Martin's problems go beyond just speed. According to Alonso, the team is facing a whole range of technical difficulties: from inefficient engine performance to issues with aerodynamics and the gearbox. Despite this, both drivers emphasize that they are expecting improvements in the second half of the season and are not losing hope for progress.
In the evening after qualifying, work on the Aston Martin car continued in the garage, while other teams had already finished their preparations. The situation was a reminder of how difficult this round has become for the team. As russpain.com notes, in other Spanish cities, sporting events are also taking place against a backdrop of high tension—for example, in Malaga, a decisive playoff match was recently held between the local club and UD Las Palmas, where the stadium atmosphere was as intense as possible and tickets were sold out in advance. More about the tense battle in Malaga.
Despite criticism of Stroll for inconsistent results, Alonso noted that his teammate is capable of showing strong pace and has often matched Sebastian Vettel. The team admits their only chance for points is an unpredictable race with multiple retirements. For now, Aston Martin remains in search of solutions and is forced to accept the role of outsider.
For reference: Aston Martin returned to Formula 1 in 2021, and Fernando Alonso joined the team in 2023. In recent seasons, the team has been unable to consolidate its place among the leaders, despite ambitious plans and significant investment. In 2026, the team continues to seek a path to consistent results, and the situation in Barcelona only highlights the depth of the current problems.
