The Formula One (F1) 2026 season will be revolutionary as the sport introduces new F1 regulations. It will be interesting to see how the teams adapt to these changes and who capitalizes on them the most.
Most eyeballs will be on the top teams on the grid, such as McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. However, two teams enter the 2026 F1 season as dark horses, and this year could be theirs. These two teams are Aston Martin and Williams.
Williams had a breakout year last season under James Vowles, so they will be building on last year’s momentum. It will be interesting to see how well they perform this year. The reason for Aston Martin’s confidence is one name: Adrian Newey. Newey’s AMR26 design looks promising and could potentially be a title contender.
These two teams are the ones to watch for a possible surprise. So, we preview them ahead of the 2026 F1 season.
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Aston Martin F1 2025 Season Recap
Ahead of the 2025 season, renowned car designer Adrian Newey joined the team, marking a major moment in the team’s history, given his ability to design championship-winning cars. The Silverstone-based outfit finished eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with no race wins or podiums.
It was apparent from team messaging that 2025 was used as a year to lay a strong foundation for the new regulations era in 2026. Most resources were allocated to the 2026 project, and very few upgrades were made to the AMR25. Newey focused on developing the AMR26, so the team’s mediocre results were accepted in the hope of a stronger 2026 F1 season.
Williams F1 2025 Season Recap
2025 was a breakout year for Williams; they finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship and scored 137 more points than they had in the previous seven seasons combined. Both drivers, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, delivered consistent points finishes and strong qualifying performances.
Like Aston Martin, the team’s main focus was on developing the 2026 car (FW48), but the difference was that Williams still managed to deliver strong results despite that focus. The 2025 season helped build significant momentum heading into 2026.
Aston Martin F1 2026: AMR26, Newey and Honda Power Unit
Adrian Newey will be at the helm as team principal, replacing former team principal Andy Cowell. The team will continue with the driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, with Stoffel Vandoorne and Jak Crawford remaining as reserve and development drivers.
The team’s development was delayed, and there were rumors of failing crash tests. Aston Martin had very limited running during the 2026 Barcelona pre-season tests due to these delays.
The AMR26 will be the first car fully developed under Newey’s leadership. It features tighter packaging and an ambitious aerodynamic philosophy, resulting in a notably slimmer, more compact design compared to the AMR25.
Some of the AMR26’s strengths include improved airflow management due to tighter packaging and aero sculpting. Prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency is a core part of Newey’s design philosophy. “Extreme” suspension concepts, especially at the rear, could unlock high mechanical grip and aerodynamic stability if developed correctly.
The integration of the new Honda power unit with the chassis and Aramco fuel will be key, with Andy Cowell overseeing that process. The aggressive aerodynamic approach suggests Aston Martin is targeting a leap forward rather than a conservative step; if successful, it could be transformative.
Despite these promising signs, the team began wind tunnel development later than some rivals, which could mean less aerodynamic validation early in the season.
The positives appear to outweigh the concerns, so the team enters the 2026 season as a dark horse.
Williams F1 2026: FW48, Mercedes Power Unit and Development
Williams enters 2026 with strong momentum from last season. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will continue as drivers, with team principal James Vowles leading the Oxfordshire-based outfit.
The team will continue its partnership with Mercedes, meaning the FW48 chassis will be integrated with a Mercedes power unit. The FW48 is built under the new 2026 regulations. With the new cars being aerodynamically complex, featuring evolved floor, bargeboard, and diffuser concepts, Williams will need strong correlation between wind tunnel, CFD, simulator, and on-track data to remain competitive.
The team faced early challenges, including rumors that the FW48 was overweight and had failed FIA crash tests, although both claims were officially denied. Williams were absent from the Barcelona shakedown.
Williams invested heavily in state-of-the-art simulator testing, helping mitigate the lack of early on-track running and improving reliability and setup understanding. The car made its maiden appearance at Silverstone on February 4, 2026.
Aston Martin F1 2026 Drivers: Alonso vs Stroll
The Silverstone-based outfit will continue its longstanding driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, ensuring continuity. Last season, Alonso outscored his teammate 56–33 and outqualified him on every race weekend. The Spaniard was clearly ahead of the Canadian across all performance metrics.
Both drivers have unique driving styles. Alonso is aggressive yet precise and is known for late braking and maximizing performance even when the setup is not ideal. At 44 years old, he brings decades of experience, and with the right car this year, he could have a chance at fighting for the championship.
Lance Stroll has shown flashes of brilliance in certain conditions but lacks consistency. The Canadian has also struggled in qualifying. In terms of driver dynamics, Alonso is the default number one driver, particularly in providing development feedback.
Williams F1 2026 Drivers: Sainz vs Albon
At the end of the 2024 season, Carlos Sainz made headlines by joining Williams after leaving Ferrari. He had a noteworthy first season with the team. The Spaniard took time to adjust, but once settled, he scored two podiums and finished ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 64 points.
Although Alex Albon did not secure a podium, he led the overall performance comparison. He finished one place ahead of Sainz in the Drivers’ Championship with 73 points. Albon also had the edge in qualifying, finishing ahead eight times, while Sainz outqualified him on six occasions. While Sainz showed moments of brilliance, Albon was more consistent overall.
Albon generally started weekends strongly, finding rhythm quickly, whereas Sainz tended to improve as the weekend progressed and performed well in more demanding races.
Both drivers benefit from similar setups and provide complementary technical feedback. The pairing has been described as “speaking the same language” from a technical standpoint. Williams’ leadership has publicly supported both drivers, and there is no clear number one.
Both teams are confident heading into the season, Williams because of last year’s form, and Aston Martin because they believe in Newey. Could the 2026 F1 season be revolutionary in the history of these teams? We will start getting answers when the season begins on March 8 at Albert Park, the season opener in Australia.
