Aston Martin has set its sights on Formula 1's seismic regulation change in 2026 as a golden opportunity to join the sport's elite. Under the leadership of CEO Andy Cowell, the British team is revamping its approach, aiming not just to compete but to dominate in the long term.
A disappointing 2024 prompts change
Despite finishing fifth in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, Aston Martin suffered a significant drop, accumulating 186 fewer points than the previous year. Early season promise has given way to a frustrating lack of progress as development struggles have pushed the team towards the middle of the pack.
Cowell, who took the reins in June 2024, admitted that one of the main failures was the poor performance of their car updates:
“We definitely won the World Championship for most updates in 2024, but those updates didn't deliver the lap time—and what everyone wants in this business is to deliver the lap time.”
The internal shake-up has seen former team manager Mike Krack move to an on-field role, while Cowell leads the ambitious restructuring.
State-of-the-art facilities: Aston Martin's game changer
Aston Martin's bid to close the gap with F1's leaders is being supported by a major investment in its Silverstone base, now named the AMR Technology Campus. The state-of-the-art facility features advanced CFD tools and a new wind tunnel—billed as the most sophisticated in the sport—both designed to minimize costly correlation errors between simulations and on-track performance .
Cowell emphasized the importance of using these tools effectively:
“We have to make sure that every time we make an update to the circuit, we are at least 90% sure that it is going to work on the track. This is the level at which world championship winning teams operate, and that must be our goal. »
Partnership with Honda: the catalyst for 2026
Aston Martin's plans for 2026 are further boosted by their upcoming partnership with Honda, which will see the team move from a customer team to a true factory team. This includes the daunting task of designing and manufacturing their own gearbox and other key components previously supplied by Mercedes.
-Cowell acknowledged the scale of the challenge but sees it as a necessary development:
“We need to transition from a customer team to a factory team at the same time as the new regulations come into effect. This is a huge opportunity but also a colossal challenge. »
Looking ahead: beyond 2026
Although 2026 is a critical target, Aston Martin is taking a long-term view. Cowell made it clear that the team's ambitions go far beyond the next regulatory reset:
“2026 is important, but it’s just another step in the journey. It's about building a team for lasting success in '27, '28, '29 and beyond. »
Immediate focus: refine processes in 2025
Before heading into the 2026 revolution, Aston Martin is focused on refining its operations in 2025. Cowell stressed the importance of building momentum to ensure the team is ready to hit the ground running. force of the new rules:
“2025 is an important milestone. We must improve our performance this year and carry this positive momentum into 2026.”
Aston Martin's bold ambition
The 2026 regulation changes represent a rare opportunity for teams like Aston Martin to challenge Formula 1's established hierarchy. With state-of-the-art facilities, an engine partnership with Honda, and a clear long-term vision, Aston Martin is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the new era.
For now, the focus is on refining their processes, but the message is clear: Aston Martin isn't just about competing—they're aiming to dominate.
