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Despite Fernando Alonso scoring Aston Martin’s first point of 2026 at the Monaco Grand Prix, F1 pundit Ralf Schumacher has shed some light on a ‘massive row’ going on at the British constructor regarding their poor start to the campaign.
It comes after months of frustrations boiling at the Silverstone-based outfit. High expectations were rife regarding Aston Martin’s chances in pre-season, but the late arrival of the AMR26 at the inaugural shakedown of F1’s new era foreshadowed a tough season.
From 21st on the grid, Fernando Alonso finished the Monaco GP in the points! What is it going to take to replicate that performance later this season?
Photo credit: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team
Fingers were initially pointed towards Honda’s subpar 2026 power unit, but it later became clear that the AMR26’s chassis, designed by Adrian Newey, wasn’t quite the harmonious fit that many had been hoping for.
The gearbox, which was developed in-house by Aston Martin engineers, is a mechanical disaster, the car remains over the minimum weight limit, and Newey’s rigid chassis has seemingly amplified the vibration issues that have plagued Honda’s efforts.
All in all, it has been a rather eye-opening start to the current campaign for the British constructor. According to F1 expert Ralf Schumacher, there is now a ‘massive row’ going on behind the scenes at the team’s base in Silverstone.
- READ MORE: Fernando Alonso showed his first signs of ‘exhaustion’ towards Aston Martin at the Monaco Grand Prix
Ralf Schumacher sheds light on a ‘massive row’ happening at Aston Martin
Speaking via the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher referenced how Newey was forced to make an appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix by team owner Lawrence Stroll, despite still reportedly suffering from illness.
What have you made of Lance Stroll’s attitude at Aston Martin this season?
“There’s a massive row going on behind the scenes,” he began. “Lawrence Stroll is, of course, anything but happy. It’s turned into something of a walk of shame for him by now, as Jost once said, Jost Capito.
“You can tell he’s feeling it; it’s giving him high blood pressure and a racing heart, Papa Stroll, when he goes into the paddock.
“I feel a bit sorry for him, too; he doesn’t deserve this, because he really gives a lot to Formula 1, invests a lot of money, and has great people around him.
“Unfortunately, Adrian Newey, who is ill at the moment, shouldn’t really have been there, to be fair, but was there at Mr Stroll’s urgent request because he absolutely had to be back at the track. I have to say it’s suboptimal too, because of course, he can’t do much on-site.
“So I can only hope that Honda finally gets its act together. It’s embarrassing, you have to say. And of course, as they have admitted, the car isn’t exactly optimal either.”
Despite the season-best performance of Alonso at Monaco, the upcoming Barcelona Grand Prix is expected to see Aston Martin as one of the grid’s resident backmarkers again, due to the nature of the circuit holding a range of different corner styles.
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