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In 2023, Aston Martin has shown remarkable potential by achieving four podium finishes and accumulating 102 points after five races, positioning itself as the second-best team on the grid, trailing only Red Bull. However, as we look back two years, the scenario appears starkly different; the team’s performance has regressed sharply, managing only 10 points at the same stage this year.
This decline is a pointed indication of a setback for the Silverstone-based outfit. With an eye toward 2026 and the upcoming car regulations, Aston Martin is eager to take advantage of an opportunity to start anew. Nevertheless, the year 2025 should not be considered a “lost” year.
The team’s development is still in progress, marked by a recent influx of engineers and more key personnel expected to join. Hence, 2025 serves as a transitional phase where synchronizing all components will require more than a few weeks of adjustments.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Foto di: Colin McMaster
Alarmingly, Aston Martin currently holds the title for the least improvement among teams. After five race weekends, the team has averaged merely a two and a half tenths of a second gain compared to the previous season. This is a stark contrast to Red Bull, which has improved by nearly six tenths in the same period.
It’s important to recognize that these metrics are not rigid truths; the resurfacing of tracks in China and Japan has affected lap times. However, a comprehensive analysis reveals that Aston has been lagging in four out of the five races thus far, with the only exception being the Australian Grand Prix, where Haas faced its own unexpected challenges.
The situation is further emphasized by focusing on specific races, such as in Saudi Arabia, where the AMR25 notably failed to surpass last year’s lap times. Although rising temperatures played a role, Pirelli supplied softer compound tires that weekend, which typically enhance grip.
Aston Martin’s Performance Overview
Here’s a summary of the performance across the races:
| TEAM | Australia | China | Japan | Bahrain | Jeddah | average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | –1.637 | –3.231 | –1.989 | –0.577 | –1.450 | –1.777 |
| Williams | –1.393 | –3.738 | –2.099 | 0.459 | –0.956 | –1.545 |
| McLaren | –1.219 | –3.524 | –1.494 | 0.227 | –0.785 | –1.359 |
| Mercedes | –1.178 | –3.710 | –1.448 | 0.524 | –0.909 | –1.344 |
| Racing Bulls | –1.118 | –3.855 | –1.844 | 1.142 | –0.356 | –1.206 |
| Sauber | –0.824 | –3.033 | –1.023 | 1.311 | –0.397 | –0.793 |
| Ferrari | –0.430 | –3.362 | –1.383 | 1.010 | –0.121 | –0.857 |
| Haas | –0.280 | –2.979 | –1.783 | 1.743 | –0.484 | –0.757 |
| Red Bull | –0.434 | –2.843 | –1.214 | 1.244 | –0.178 | –0.685 |
| Aston Martin | –0.422 | –2.460 | –0.789 | 2.092 | 0.457 | –0.224 |
Being the sole team yet to show any improvement over last year’s lap times, and actually running half a second slower, raises concerns about ongoing challenges as the season progresses.
Examining the Struggles
To comprehend these difficulties, it’s essential to revisit the performance characteristics of the AMR23, which favored high-downforce setups, excelling in low-speed corners but suffering in straight-line speed and faster corners. For the 2024 season, attempts were made to address these deficiencies with the AMR24, aiming to enhance acceleration and cornering speed. Unfortunately, this strategy did not yield the expected results, partly due to a complex development phase that left the team behind its competitors.
With the introduction of the AMR25, Aston Martin aimed to refocus on earlier successful strategies to improve cornering speeds while introducing modifications to the front wing to address understeer. However, the anticipated performance from this revised approach has yet to materialize, revealing ongoing struggles despite the engineers’ concerted efforts over the winter.
“In our first four Grands Prix, we identified slow-speed corners as our biggest weakness. Bouncing and other issues have emerged sporadically, and we are actively working to enhance those aspects. The Jeddah track features many high-speed corners,” remarked Fernando Alonso ahead of the Jeddah race.
Telemetry showing Fernando Alonso’s qualifying data
Photo by: Gianluca D’Alessandro
In pursuit of augmented aerodynamic load, the AMR24 was made excessively sensitive, proving challenging to drive, compelling the team to revert to prior components for better stability. Consequently, it meant splitting efforts between two designs catering specifically to the demands of different track types—one for slow circuits and another for faster ones.
A significant aim for 2025 is enhancing car drivability, which has shown some improvements, yet the essential increase in downforce is lacking when compared to rival developments. This situation may necessitate a rear-loaded setup to optimize balance and compensate for downforce deficiencies. Interestingly, Aston opted for a high-downforce wing setup in Jeddah, aligning closely with the previous year’s configuration while most other teams adjusted to lower downforce configurations this season.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Foto di: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Following a challenging start to the season, Aston Martin’s management convened to outline the development strategy for 2026 while seeking to salvage a campaign that has offered little to celebrate so far.
“Can we extract more performance from the car? Absolutely,” stated Andy Cowell, team principal of Aston Martin, after the Saudi Arabian GP. “There are numerous areas from which we can draw lessons from our recent races. While it may not be enough to secure victories, there are still pathways for us to advance.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Foto di: Peter Fox – Getty Images
The Role of Adrian Newey in Future Developments
Cowell further asserted that understanding the intricacies of the AMR25 and the integration of new equipment are vital to the team’s campaign moving forward. He highlighted the significance of improved facilities, mentioning the inauguration of the new wind tunnel that commenced operations around the time of the Australian GP.
Despite Adrian Newey’s recent addition to the team, his contributions will center on refining tooling and equipment rather than direct involvement in the AMR25’s development. Cowell underscored the importance of Newey’s experience in steering Aston Martin toward its goal of becoming a competitive force in the championship realm. The challenge remains, as time is of the essence, and tangible results may not surface until the 2026 season.
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