Aston Martin trails top teams by around four seconds

Aston Martin is currently lagging behind by approximately four seconds, according to Lance Stroll, as the team prepares for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

Despite its visually appealing design, the Aston Martin has struggled to deliver on the track, with its performance falling short of expectations.

According to Lance Stroll, Aston Martin is currently around four seconds behind the pace setters as the team prepares for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

The newly designed car, led by the experienced Adrian Newey, has faced challenges with both speed and reliability during pre-season testing.

On the first day of the Bahrain pre-season test, Lance Stroll was 5.2 seconds off the leading pace, while his teammate Fernando Alonso trailed by more than four seconds on the second day.

While headline lap times during pre-season testing are not always a reliable indicator of a team's true form, Aston Martin is well aware of the significant gap it needs to bridge.

Stroll acknowledged the team's current deficit, stating that they appear to be around four to four and a half seconds behind the top teams.

He emphasized the uncertainty surrounding fuel loads and other factors, but stressed the need to find a way to close the four-second performance gap.

Lance Stroll began his Formula 1 career with Williams in 2017, and now drives for Aston Martin, a team owned by his father, Lawrence Stroll.

When asked about the team's strategy for improvement, Stroll attributed the difference in performance to grip and overall car performance, emphasizing the need for incremental progress.

At the team's launch, Adrian Newey described the Aston Martin design as an "extreme interpretation" of the new rules, drawing attention from rival teams.

However, the car has yet to demonstrate any notable performance, with the new Honda-designed engine also failing to impress.

Stroll identified the engine as a significant contributor to the car's problems, and when asked to highlight any positives, he noted that the car's livery looks good.

Regarding Adrian Newey's role as team principal, Stroll praised his focus on performance and leadership skills, describing him as "obsessed" with finding ways to improve the car.

Newey joined Aston Martin in March of the previous year, and the team has been cautious in managing expectations for their first season as a works team.

Stroll acknowledged the team's current position, expressing a desire to compete for race wins in the future, although it may not be achievable at present.

He struck a realistic tone, stating that the team's current situation is not ideal, but refused to rule out the possibility of future success.

As the testing session drew to a close, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris set the fastest times, with Alonso struggling to match the pace of even the newcomer Cadillac team.

A photo gallery of the F1 2026 cars is available, showcasing the vehicles in action during the Bahrain testing session.

An explanation of the new terminology in F1, including active aero and overtake mode, is available for those looking to understand the sport's latest developments.

Cadillac recently unveiled its split livery design in a Super Bowl advert, generating interest in the team's debut season.

Russell has expressed his desire to go head-to-head with Verstappen, setting the stage for an exciting season of competition.

The Barcelona "shakedown" offered an early glimpse into the 2026 F1 season, with teams testing their new cars and preparing for the upcoming campaign.

The 2026 season will feature the biggest rule change in F1 history, as well as the arrival of a young British driver, promising an exciting year of racing ahead.

Up Next

Odobert to have surgery for torn ACL suffered by Spurs player

Don't Miss

Trump Administration’s Border Enforcement Effort in Minnesota to Conclude

Click to comment

Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham

Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.

For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.

Do you have any questions about Tottenham – what information are you seeking?

UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

News

Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.

As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.

Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.

Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.

Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.

According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.

Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.

Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.

An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?

Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.

As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.

Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.

He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.

Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.

Do you have any questions about Manchester City that you would like answered?