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Ex-Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa has said that Fernando Alonso’s message to Aston Martin staff amid the team’s current struggles proves he is a ‘great leader’.
It has been a horrible start to the 2026 campaign for Aston Martin, with Alonso and Lance Stroll struggling with the problematic AMR-26.
So far this season, the AMR26 has been suffering from intense vibrations from the Honda-powered engine.
To add to their woes, it has been claimed that the Adrian Newey-designed chassis might not be as good as first thought.
Many felt adding Newey to their ranks would propel Aston Martin to the front of the grid, but the legendary designer has experienced a rough start to life with the Silverstone-based outfit.
What are your current sentiments towards Aston Martin turning around their 2026 F1 season?
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Pedro de la Rosa explains why Fernando Alonso is a ‘great leader’ amid Aston Martin struggles
Speaking recently to Spanish news outlet AS, Aston Martin ambassador De la Rosa has praised Alonso’s leadership amid the team’s ongoing struggles.
The former McLaren and Sauber driver also branded working with Alonso as a ‘luxury’.
De la Rosa said: “Working with Fernando is a luxury, I have always said it and it is a source of inspiration, with him I do not stop learning.
“We are in a difficult situation, but Fernando is there supporting, supporting his shoulder if we have to work harder, and with a lot of desire.
“It’s not a Fernando who is disappointed or anything, it’s simply: ‘You have to work and here I am’. That’s a great leader.”
Will Fernando Alonso end any of these droughts before he retires?
READ MORE: F1 paddock experts said Adrian Newey was ‘past his best’ before Aston Martin disaster
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Although Aston Martin have continued to struggle, there could be some good news on the way.
As reported by Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, F1 journalist Carlos Miquel said on the Cope GP Podcast that Aston Martin could soon have the solutions for their problems.
It has been suggested that ‘several solutions’ could be in the pipeline, which Aston Martin hope will ‘improve reliability’ and ‘unlock the hidden potential’ of the AMR-26.
Miquel said: “There will be reliability improvements at Aston Martin; they have permission to achieve this. If they don’t have vibrations like they did on Friday at Suzuka.
“If they manage to fix it with engine modifications and some tweaks to the steering so the vibration doesn’t reach the drivers, the car will be faster, more competitive, and we could achieve more than just finishing a Grand Prix.”
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