As Formula 1 arrives in Japan for Honda’s home race at Suzuka, Aston Martin continues to search for solutions after a difficult start to the 2026 season.
With reliability problems, vibration issues, and performance weaknesses hampering the team’s early campaign, Lance Stroll offered a candid assessment of the situation when speaking to the media ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Asked to describe the atmosphere inside the team after a challenging opening phase of the season, Stroll didn’t sugarcoat the mood.
“Well, everyone’s just working as hard as they can to improve the situation for sure. None of us are happy with where we are. It’s not the start to the season that we hoped for, but it is what it is and we’re just working as hard as possible to improve it.”
Aston Martin has struggled with both performance and reliability, with limited running in previous rounds making it difficult to gather data or validate upgrades. Despite that, Stroll remains convinced that the package still has untapped potential.
When asked whether the car still has room to grow, Stroll was clear about where the team’s challenges lie: “I think so, yes. We know we have issues on the engine side.
“There are areas we need to work on with the car. I think high-speed corners are still a weakness for us. So yeah, we’re just trying to improve in all areas that need work and it’s just about bringing performance as quick as we can.”
Suzuka, with its sweeping high‑speed S‑Curves and long‑radius corners, is not the kindest venue for a car struggling in precisely those areas. Still, the team hopes that addressing the reliability problems that plagued them in China will at least allow both drivers to complete the race.
A realistic target for Honda’s home race
With Honda power behind them and the Japanese fans out in force, expectations might normally be higher. But Stroll kept his goals grounded.
“We’re just trying to improve the issues we had in China. In China we had big vibration problems, reliability issues, so just tackling some of those problems. I think getting both cars to the chequered flag would already be a good step forward for us.”
Finishing with both cars would indeed mark progress after the setbacks of recent weeks.
On speculation around team leadership
Rumors have circulated about the workload and responsibilities of team principal Adrian Newey, prompting questions about whether the leadership structure at Aston Martin may evolve. Stroll, however, stayed out of the speculation.
“I don’t know all the details about that, but I know Adrian’s team principal right now. I know that we have to improve the engine, we have to improve the car, and I think that’s what everyone’s focused on.”
