In the 2023 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin has made a remarkable start, achieving four podium finishes and accumulating 102 points in just five races. This strong performance has positioned them as the second-best team in the standings, trailing only behind Red Bull. However, fast forward two years, and the narrative has shifted dramatically. After five races in 2025, Aston Martin finds itself with a mere 10 points, highlighting a significant decline for the Silverstone-based team.
This downturn signals a troubling trend for Aston Martin, especially as they look toward the 2026 regulations, which offer an opportunity for a fresh start with a new car. Despite this, the 2025 season cannot be dismissed as a “throwaway” year. The team is in a phase of evolution, with a host of new engineers joining in recent years and more prominent figures expected to join in the near future. Therefore, 2025 serves as a crucial adjustment period to ensure all components of the team can operate in harmony, a goal that cannot be achieved overnight.
One of the most concerning aspects of the 2025 season so far is that Aston Martin has shown the least improvement compared to the previous year. With an average time gain of just 0.25 seconds compared to 2024, the team stands in stark contrast to Red Bull, which has made significant advancements, improving by six-tenths of a second. These figures, while they should be interpreted with caution due to factors like track resurfacing in China and Japan, paint a clear picture of Aston Martin’s struggles. In four out of the five races held this season, Aston Martin has recorded the smallest gains, with Australia being the lone exception, where Haas faced unexpected issues with car bouncing.
A closer analysis of individual races reveals disheartening statistics. For instance, during the Saudi Arabian GP, Aston Martin’s AMR25 was the only car that failed to surpass its lap time from the previous year. While rising temperatures likely played a role, it’s important to note that Pirelli supplied softer tire compounds that weekend, which typically enhance grip and lap times.
The challenges facing Aston Martin can be traced back to the AMR23, a car that thrived with high-downforce setups, showcasing strength in low-speed corners but struggling on straights and high-speed turns. In an attempt to rectify these weaknesses, engineers worked on the AMR24, focusing on enhancing straight-line performance, particularly with DRS activated, as well as improving speed in fast corners. Unfortunately, this approach did not yield the desired results, primarily due to a difficult development trajectory that left the team lagging behind competitors.
With the AMR25, Aston Martin opted for a more traditional approach, reverting to foundational principles in hopes of regaining performance in slow corners. They introduced a redesigned front wing to address issues with understeer. However, the AMR25 has not fully realized the intended improvements, and the car continues to face challenges in adapting to the design changes implemented during the off-season.
Fernando Alonso, a key driver for Aston Martin, noted that the slow-speed corners have been a particular weakness for the team in the first few races. He mentioned concerns about bouncing and other performance-related issues that the team is actively working to improve. In Jeddah, for example, the circuit features many high-speed corners, adding another layer of complexity to the team’s performance.
To increase aerodynamic load, the AMR24 became overly sensitive, leading to difficulties in handling. At times, this forced the team to revert to older parts that provided better balance rather than risk performance with new, unproven components. As a result, Aston Martin found themselves juggling between two different floor designs throughout the season: one tailored for slower tracks and another for those requiring higher speeds.
A key goal for the 2025 season is to enhance the car’s drivability, and while some progress has been made, the team still lacks the necessary downforce to keep pace with rivals who are constantly evolving their designs. A potential solution for Aston Martin could involve adopting a more rear-loaded setup to improve balance while compensating for limited downforce. Interestingly, during the Jeddah race, Aston Martin utilized one of the highest-downforce rear wings, similar to their approach in the previous season, even as other teams chose to implement lower-downforce solutions.
After experiencing a challenging start to the season, the management team at Aston Martin convened to determine the best direction for development leading into 2026, while also seeking to salvage a campaign that has thus far yielded little in terms of success. Andy Cowell, the team principal, expressed a belief that there is still potential to extract more performance from the car, acknowledging that while it may not be enough to secure race wins, there are areas where improvement is possible.
Cowell emphasized the importance of continuous learning about the AMR25 and the new equipment introduced to the factory, which will play a critical role in the team’s future development. One significant advancement is the inauguration of a new wind tunnel, which began operations around the time of the Australian GP, following extensive testing. This facility is expected to be instrumental in enhancing the team’s aerodynamic capabilities.
Although Adrian Newey, a renowned figure in F1 engineering, officially joined Aston Martin last month, he will not be directly involved in the AMR25’s development. However, Cowell reiterated that Newey’s expertise will be invaluable in optimizing the new tooling and equipment that Aston Martin has invested in over recent seasons, with the ultimate goal of transforming the team into a championship contender.
As time progresses, the urgency for Aston Martin to realize these improvements increases, with many developments possibly not making an impact until the 2026 season. The team finds itself at a critical juncture, where strategic decisions must be made to navigate the challenges ahead and restore its competitive edge on the Formula 1 grid.
