We are on the verge of the start of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, a highly anticipated race for all the teams, as it will be the moment to see how each team adapts to the new FIA regulations. In the case of Aston Martin, the improvements are expected to take a step forward, as was already the case in Imola. However, team boss Andy Cowell admits that they expected the updates at the Italian circuit to be even better than they were.
A step forward, but not the one expected
Andy Cowell, Aston Martin’s boss, has surprised everyone by saying that they expected more from the improvements to the AMR25 two weeks ago at the Italian F1 Grand Prix. The step forward was more than evident, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualifying in Q3, the best result so far this season. However, it seems that the team was expecting something more.
“The car took a step forward, but not as much as we expected. While it has more downforce, it still has some characteristics that are not good.”
Andy Cowell acknowledges that one of the main problems Aston Martin is having has to do with the simulator, a new tool that will take time to fine-tune so that the data matches that of the car.
“The simulator does not give our drivers the same feeling as the real car.” “This correlation process takes time. That’s why we’re doing a lot of experiments to adjust it. It should be more a matter of weeks or months.”
“This year we’re learning. Everything we observe, everything Adrian observes, everything Fernando comments on, we’re working on to improve it,” Cowell insisted.
New updates from Aston Martin for Barcelona
Aston Martin is debuting a new front wing in Barcelona, as are all the teams. It is not a new part as such, but rather an update to the flexible wing that has now been banned by the FIA, which promises to cause changes on the grid. Aston Martin hopes to be one of the beneficiaries, although outwardly they are not so optimistic.
“We have modified our wing and we will see what consequences this has.”
A common goal, 2026
Andy Cowell, like the rest of Aston Martin’s top brass, keeps saying that the goal is 2026 and that everything being done now, including the AMR25 updates, is preparation for next season, when the team hopes to step up and join the fight with the best.
“I feel incredible enthusiasm throughout the team. Everyone has the same goal, everyone is eager to move forward.”
Fernando Alonso expressed similar sentiments after finishing the Monaco Grand Prix, where he had to retire when it looked like he was on course for his first points of the season due to an engine failure. The Oviedo native’s goal is the first race of next year. “I want to win in Australia in 2026.”
Aston Martin has another opportunity this weekend to show that things are being done right at Aston Martin, something that does not seem to have happened in recent years. The latest improvements worked, and the changes for Barcelona are also expected to be a step forward for the team. Until a few weeks ago, the AMR25 was the second worst car on the grid, but it seems that they can turn things around in the second half of the championship, with one goal in mind: to improve so that 2026 can be the year in which Aston Martin can fight for the top spots and win the World Championship.