Someone is always showing signs of distress at Formula 1’s pre-season testing. McLaren, Red Bull, and even Ferrari had their moments. However, this year, it was Aston Martin who appeared most in need of a shoulder to cry on.
Silverstone-based Aston Martin seemed to be a far cry from the halcyon days of February 2022, when they appeared in the top four each day of the test.
Based on the “deteriorates with practice” performance of 2024, Parc Ferme suspected money and focus were on this year’s effort.
However, the AMR25 seemed to be suffering from the same malady as its two drivers: “under the weather” and feeling a bit lackluster.
It's not as bad as it looks
Fernando Alonso, as always, tried to put a positive spin on things, describing the Aston Martin AMR25 as “for sure a step forward”.
However, that’s not very helpful if everyone else is taking leaps and bounds. A poor showing in the test would suggest Aston Martin Racing seem to have carried forward their car from last season. This is in contrast to Williams and Alpine, who both seemed to have stepped up.
Shush… He’s almost here
The absence of blood on the floor suggested the king wasn’t in residence in Bahrain. However, the demeanor of the team’s personnel suggested respite might only be temporary.
The possible source of this clemency may have been due to the fact that the team’s savior was about to walk through the front door.
Adrian Newey will wash the soil off his hands and sharpen his Aston Martin pencil this week. Not a moment too soon was probably the thought circulating the AMR pit box!
No pressure then…
Newey has been ebullient about his new role when interviewed. However, despite the comfort of a driver’s equivalent salary and shares in the company, on his shoulders will sit the not-inconsiderable weight of Lawrence Stroll’s expectations.
Lawrence is a patient...ish man, but he will be expecting Newey to waive his magic pen and improve the lot of the team in 2025, sooner rather than later.
Cake today, bread tomorrow
Ironically, the maverick designer may be able to do more for the team in 2025 than in 2026. Newey has already stated that the new regulations are an engine formula and that the PU will dominate the competitive agenda going forward.
Add to this that he will no longer be the only ground effect expert in the room, and you feel he’s already managing expectations. Other designers have caught up, and whilst no one is in his aero league, the margin of advantage he brought to Red Bull in 2022 will unlikely be anywhere near as significant.
No miracles
Alonso has publicly stated a car designer brings more than a driver. However, a driver needs to be able to optimize what they produce. A point clearly illustrated by the RB20 and Sergio Perez.
Arguably, Aston Martin only has one pilot who meets that requirement. The British design magician’s herbs and spices alone will probably not be enough to get the AMR25 to finish in the first half of the field.
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