2026 Formula 1 Constructors threadFormula 1

[United6694]

Someone on Reddit posted telemetry data earlier today, the Aston was almost 3k rpm down on everyone else at the top of 8th gear, suggesting Honda is struggling with reliability/power yet again, or Aston is sandbagging heavily (LA Noire doubt x.jpg).

I think from the Sky reporting its pretty known that the Aston is running at a reduced engine mode, was the same in Barca as they mentioned about the blue (or purple) light that was flashing on it

 

[RetroVelocity]

With the news that Alpine’s WEC team is shutting down at the end of this year, I’m expecting their F1 project to soon follow

 

[Fezzik]

With the news that Alpine’s WEC team is shutting down at the end of this year, I’m expecting their F1 project to soon follow

I think the F1 project is still safe, maybe with a buy-in from Horny to run it. More visibility, more attractive to sponsors, etc than WEC which seems to have some issues now keeping manufacturers.

 

[McLaren]

They sold more of the minority stake last year & have some well known celebrity investors to secure long-term commitment. If they were to close shop, the team would still get bought in an instant.

 

[Liquid]

Enstone Formula will survive but be on its... sixth different guise? Benetton; Renault; Lotus Renault; Renault; Alpine.

Seven if you count Toleman.

 

[Gerarghini]

Guys, I don't think the El Plan is gonna work out this year

 

[RACECAR]

Guys, I don't think the El Plan is gonna work out this year

If things truly go south, I get the impression "El Plan" is gonna be retired.

And in true fashion, they'll figure it out WITHOUT him because that is just his luck.

 

[MagpieRacer]

If things truly go south, I get the impression "El Plan" is gonna be retired.

And in true fashion, they'll figure it out WITHOUT him because that is just his luck.

If that happens then there needs to be a difficult conversation about how overrated Alonso actually is.

 

[Liquid]

If that happens then there needs to be a difficult conversation about how overrated Alonso actually is.

He's the best driver that can't deal with management and team building. I don't think there's a better driver who has gotten the most out of underwhelming cars.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Did we ever expect AMR to be a front-runner?

I mean, Newey has only been with AMR since March 2025. Everyone was expecting a radical car for 2026, but I don't know where those expectations came from. I'd imagine he needs at least a year to fully acclimatize to the team before he can really have an impact. I wouldn't be surprised if it took them until 2028 to be fully up and running.

 

[Imbissbrunto]

Did we ever expect AMR to be a front-runner?

I mean, Newey has only been with AMR since March 2025. Everyone was expecting a radical car for 2026, but I don't know where those expectations came from. I'd imagine he needs at least a year to fully acclimatize to the team before he can really have an impact. I wouldn't be surprised if it took them until 2028 to be fully up and running.

Agreed, I think people should have more realistic expectations in general.

Just like how some people on the internet expect Cadillac to immediately be among the best teams in their first season because they‘re backed by GM and their money. These things take time.

 

[Liquid]

I think lots of people are looking for and have been looking for the next Brawn moment. That's a once-ever, so unlikely to be repeated event. Taking front-running teams into account:

Lotus grew progessively.
Williams and McLaren slowly improved year on year.
Ferrari have been there since day one.
Red Bull took their time from the midfield.
Mercedes inherited a championship-winning team, Brawn itself in fact.

It's so unlikely a team will go from zero to title like a snap of the fingers but every time there's a design-rule change, there's anticipation.

 

[sillybilly]

If that happens then there needs to be a difficult conversation about how overrated Alonso actually is.

how about:

"If [blank] happens then there needs to be a difficult conversation about how overrated [blank] actually is."

Is this now pretty universal Fl fan lore for a huge amount of fans?
I mean almost every driver that gets to drive and Fl car has some kind of hype train?

 

[MagpieRacer]

how about:

"If [blank] happens then there needs to be a difficult conversation about how overrated [blank] actually is."

Is this now pretty universal Fl fan lore for a huge amount of fans?
I mean almost every driver that gets to drive and Fl car has some kind of hype train?

No one has had the longevity of idolism that Alonso has had, he has 2 world titles, both which came early in his career, and yet he is heralded as one of the greats and just needs the car, he's had the car multiple times since 2006 and has failed to convert. Struggling teams rarely progress with him in them, McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin, none of them progressed with his presence.

The conversation for Alonso has a much longer time period to call upon than any other current driver, sure there are other drivers in the sport who could have the overrated conversation, but none as pertinent as the Alonso one.

Unpopular opinion I know, but lets look at Alonso's carree since he won the F1 WDC last in 2006. Championship victory in WEC 2018/19, alongside 2 endurance racing stalwarts driving a car in a team that had no realistic competition whereby the only race Toyota as a team didn't win was by virtue of disqualification. What else? Handful of F1 podiums and some what ifs.

There are some mitigating factors throughout his career, like with any driver, but when does 'bad luck' and 'unfortunate circumstance' become more a problem with the driver?

 

[GlamFM]

No one has had the longevity of idolism that Alonso has had, he has 2 world titles, both which came early in his career, and yet he is heralded as one of the greats and just needs the car, he's had the car multiple times since 2006 and has failed to convert. Struggling teams rarely progress with him in them, McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin, none of them progressed with his presence.

The conversation for Alonso has a much longer time period to call upon than any other current driver, sure there are other drivers in the sport who could have the overrated conversation, but none as pertinent as the Alonso one.

Unpopular opinion I know, but lets look at Alonso's carree since he won the F1 WDC last in 2006. Championship victory in WEC 2018/19, alongside 2 endurance racing stalwarts driving a car in a team that had no realistic competition whereby the only race Toyota as a team didn't win was by virtue of disqualification. What else? Handful of F1 podiums and some what ifs.

There are some mitigating factors throughout his career, like with any driver, but when does 'bad luck' and 'unfortunate circumstance' become more a problem with the driver?

I think the direct comparison of Alonso against Stroll vs. Vettel against Stroll paints a picture of a driver who has still got it (unlike Vettel towards the end of his career).

Alonso’s performances in the periods where the Aston was competitive were also outstanding.

Aside from 2007, Alonso consistently held the upper hand over his teammates - often by a significant margin.