Aston Martin has yet to officially confirm whether there will be updates for the F1 Imola Grand Prix taking place next weekend in Italy, the first race on European soil. Although Fernando Alonso and Andy Cowell hinted that this would be the case, the truth is that Aston Martin is not entirely convinced that these new parts will have a beneficial impact on the team, which has little time to make a decision as the race is fast approaching. However, at Grada3, we have been able to confirm directly from the team the information that has been circulating in recent days. The updates that the car will receive will be parts to test aspects related to next season’s AMR26.
Aston Martin’s needs
Aston Martin needs to step up. Although this season is already considered a lost cause, the team believes it is important to improve the performance of the AMR25 for the remainder of the season. It is no longer just for the prestige of the team, which is fighting to avoid finishing last on the grid, but also to confirm that the work being done at Silverstone is on the right track.
Lawrence Stroll is leading a very ambitious project that should start to bear fruit right away, as the goal is to be able to fight for the World Championship next season. In this regard, all the tools provided by the magnate are already in place, and now it is up to the team to learn how to use them to optimize Aston Martin’s options.
The new factory, the new engineers—with Adrian Newey as the most ambitious signing—and the new technological tools, led by the wind tunnel, should guarantee a step forward. All that remains is for the human factor to adapt as quickly as possible to these new changes in order to get the most out of Silverstone’s resources.
Grada3 confirms that the AMR25 will be a test car
According to Grada3, it is true that the updates planned for the AMR25 will be tests for next season’s AMR26. Aston Martin believes that it is not worth spending more resources this season given the difficulty of making improvements that will bring about a drastic change in the car’s performance. However, they are confident that with the elements they have planned for next season, which are in line with the current regulations, they can make a significant improvement to the current car and confirm that things are on track for next year.
Any improvement to this year’s car will be a step forward in next year’s final project, and testing it on the track is where you really get the real data on the car’s performance.
Updates at Imola
Andy Cowell said after the Miami Grand Prix that there would be updates for the next three races, Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona. However, there are doubts as to whether these first updates will be ready for the next race, which is why they have not yet been confirmed by the team, who do not want to take any false steps or change elements without being sure that they will really be a step forward, not only for the AMR25, but also for the AMR26.
But what is clear is that whatever Aston Martin does this year, it will do so with next season in mind. If they manage to take advantage and improve the AMR25, so much the better, that is the goal, but with an eye on the future, not the present, where, in principle, there is suffering ahead.