2025 Aston Martin | Aramco F1 Team

[cplchanb]

Decent race for Stroll, P15 to P9 (p10).

I predict that Stroll is gonna get his sh1t together somewhat compared to these last couple of seasons in 2026.

and this turned out to be the final pass of the DRS era.

[madridista]

"Carlos Miquel (Alonso's trusted man in the press) has just said that 2026 is going to be Fernando's last year."

[AR3-GP]

Fernando Alonso: "Not yet. I think Abu Dhabi next year maybe it's more special..."

I thought that retirement was obvious from this statement.

[madridista]

long pre season ahead !

[SchuMassa]

Carlos Miquel: "They tell me that at Aston Martin there is a lot of confidence in the aerodynamic design, but they have a lot of doubts about the Honda engine"

[Xyz22]

Carlos Miquel: "They tell me that at Aston Martin there is a lot of confidence in the aerodynamic design, but they have a lot of doubts about the Honda engine"

Honda will need time. Aston Martin knew about this when they signed the contract. The key is that Honda always delivered when given enough time.

[OnEcRiTiCaL]

Carlos Miquel: "They tell me that at Aston Martin there is a lot of confidence in the aerodynamic design, but they have a lot of doubts about the Honda engine"

Nah,I think the opposite. Even with Newey and the new facility and tools, the f1 is a learning and development curve. And is true in the simulator, simulation and the aerodynamic side too. They still don't know why they are slow or why the top teams much faster at race pace. They won't know for next year also. With Newey they have chance to solve the problems, but is will take months and years.

[Farnborough]

I see several issues that need to be resolved before considering AM a title contender: their pit work and lack of brilliant race strategies are fundamental problems that must be addressed.

Furthermore, as already mentioned regarding Honda, they will only have one team to draw conclusions from. And, apparently, the next gearbox will be from AM, which could be another source of problems or a blessing.

On the other hand, I also see important factors: AM has managed to establish impressive technical facilities; Newey's presence; Honda's involvement as an engine supplier; and the fact that financial problems don't seem likely to affect the team. In short: Fernando hasn't had this many resources at his disposal for a long time.

The challenge will be to improve the team's performance and avoid mistakes in car development. It seems we won't be bored, but success shouldn't be instantaneous either. Unless a miracle happens and everything falls perfectly into place from the start.

With the regulation changes, I imagine all the teams will experience similar setbacks. It's about being the smartest in the class and evolving quickly and well.

Oh, by the way: you guys are a great band and I have a blast with you. Thanks a lot.

Its one part I'd not have particular concern about, in comparison to the other parts. The gearbox (gears, cassette, differential etc) are very well known and with manufacture in common for many component via specialised supply chain outside the team capability.
The "case" outer and functional part of chassis, rear suspension system, integration and dynamic performance, is the area that Newey acknowledged as his primary contribution in RB for this era of design (current, finishing) which should have good overview of this new AM transmission set. I feel there can be quite confidence in this part of build.

It is fairly early though in developing AN view throughout the whole organisation though, which may impact ultimate performance. We can see already those that didn't fit this remit having left the team, for whatever reasons they may hold.

State of flux ? definitely. Needing gestation period ? I feel that's valid in this timescale. One thing will be getting a forward looking concept into existence, while accepting there's likely to be inconclusive prediction right now as to where it'll land.

One thing is for sure, they weren't on the right trajectory of being consistent in application and competitive resilience up to now. Change was needed, now underway and potentially a longer term positive capacity to evaluate and direct their future performance.

[Nikosar]

"Carlos Miquel (Alonso's trusted man in the press) has just said that 2026 is going to be Fernando's last year."

I think that will be the outcome, it’s time for him to enjoy time with his family.

But he himself said that if the 2026 car isn’t competitive, he might push on to 2027, but ultimately, it seems that Aston Martin will decide whether he stays beyond that.

[peewon]

"Carlos Miquel (Alonso's trusted man in the press) has just said that 2026 is going to be Fernando's last year."

I think that will be the outcome, it’s time for him to enjoy time with his family.

But he himself said that if the 2026 car isn’t competitive, he might push on to 2027, but ultimately, it seems that Aston Martin will decide whether he stays beyond that.

I suspect Aston is eyeing Verstappen for 2027. Newey in the past has always wanted to have a say in drivers and now that he is TP, he will definitely be pushing for Max. I dont see AM competing next year and I dont think Alonso will get a chance to stay beyond '26.

[TyreSlip]

"Carlos Miquel (Alonso's trusted man in the press) has just said that 2026 is going to be Fernando's last year."

I think that will be the outcome, it’s time for him to enjoy time with his family.

But he himself said that if the 2026 car isn’t competitive, he might push on to 2027, but ultimately, it seems that Aston Martin will decide whether he stays beyond that.

I suspect Aston is eyeing Verstappen for 2027. Newey in the past has always wanted to have a say in drivers and now that he is TP, he will definitely be pushing for Max. I dont see AM competing next year and I dont think Alonso will get a chance to stay beyond '26.

I have a feeling that Aston Martin is pushing for a younger driver (all the rumours of a LeClerc option), and that Alonso is not being given a choice to retire on his own terms, which makes me upset because I do not seeing Aston Martin being competitive in 2026 but much better in 2027.

[diffuser]

I think that will be the outcome, it’s time for him to enjoy time with his family.

But he himself said that if the 2026 car isn’t competitive, he might push on to 2027, but ultimately, it seems that Aston Martin will decide whether he stays beyond that.

I suspect Aston is eyeing Verstappen for 2027. Newey in the past has always wanted to have a say in drivers and now that he is TP, he will definitely be pushing for Max. I dont see AM competing next year and I dont think Alonso will get a chance to stay beyond '26.

I have a feeling that Aston Martin is pushing for a younger driver (all the rumours of a LeClerc option), and that Alonso is not being given a choice to retire on his own terms, which makes me upset because I do not seeing Aston Martin being competitive in 2026 but much better in 2027.

You're upset about a rumor about Alonso being forced to retire ? Do yourself a favor and stop reading BS rumors. When Alonso is ready to retire he will tell us. If it is cause the team doesn't want him back he will say that too.


As for Honda, I can't see them being anything less #2 next year.

EVEN if they are down on power next year, it would be hard to know if it is the actual PU or if the FUEL is low on energy. Cause if the fuel is low on energy they will have to carry more fuel, which will make them slower with lower power to boot.

[madridista]

"Carlos Miquel (Alonso's trusted man in the press) has just said that 2026 is going to be Fernando's last year."

I think that will be the outcome, it’s time for him to enjoy time with his family.

But he himself said that if the 2026 car isn’t competitive, he might push on to 2027, but ultimately, it seems that Aston Martin will decide whether he stays beyond that.

Yep, he hinted at it himself with that statement that Schumassa quoted before (Abu dhabi 2026 being special), i think its pretty clear now. The statement was a reply to a journalist mentioning a time related milestone in his career. The person from the video i posted is also said to be very close to Fernando so its unlikely to be BS as some people here have been suggesting. Good for him, he has proven himself times over times and will become a father soon, he deserves some rest.

One would have to be naive to think that AM is not pushing for younger/potentially faster drivers with a future.
Alonso is 44 (!), come winter 26' he will be 45, he has no negotiating power. He is probably happy to have gotten away with having a contract for 26, otherwise they might have dumped him for next year already.
Just the sheer PR that a Verstappen/to a lesser degree Leclerc would bring in would be worth pushing alonso out for 2027 from a AM perspective.

Besides, where theres smoke there is fire most of the time. There has been multiple sources on Todt (leclercs manager) talking to Stroll Sr. . With the technical team and facilities that they have now its bound to happen sooner or later. Considering the stage of career alonso is in, rather sooner than late.

[TyreSlip]

I suspect Aston is eyeing Verstappen for 2027. Newey in the past has always wanted to have a say in drivers and now that he is TP, he will definitely be pushing for Max. I dont see AM competing next year and I dont think Alonso will get a chance to stay beyond '26.

I have a feeling that Aston Martin is pushing for a younger driver (all the rumours of a LeClerc option), and that Alonso is not being given a choice to retire on his own terms, which makes me upset because I do not seeing Aston Martin being competitive in 2026 but much better in 2027.

You're upset about a rumor about Alonso being forced to retire ? Do yourself a favor and stop reading BS rumors. When Alonso is ready to retire he will tell us. If it is cause the team doesn't want him back he will say that too.


As for Honda, I can't see them being anything less #2 next year.

EVEN if they are down on power next year, it would be hard to know if it is the actual PU or if the FUEL is low on energy. Cause if the fuel is low on energy they will have to carry more fuel, which will make them slower with lower power to boot.

They are not BS if they come from reputable sources. I wish the LeClerc rumours were all baseless speculation.

[madridista]

Cristobal Rosaleny:

"At the Abu Dhabi paddock, one of the things that came up most is that the 2026 Aston Martin is scary—they think the car is good."

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