Aston Martin delivered unanimous verdict as key issue remains

Aston Martin is looking to rediscover its form from 2023 in the final year of the current regulations, following a disappointing campaign last year. 

After the highs of Fernando Alonso collecting eight podiums for the team two seasons ago, it was back to a sense of unwanted reality for the British outfit in 2024. 

Not a single rostrum was claimed, with the Silverstone-based team having found itself in a position where it was comfortably behind the leading teams but just ahead of the midfield. 

Once again, team owner Lawrence Stroll has splashed significant cash to propel Aston Martin, with Adrian Newey set to arrive on 1 March. 

A change in leadership has also taken place, with Andy Cowell having replaced Mike Krack as team principal for the upcoming season. 

Lots of changes continue to take place both in the form of personnel and new buildings being completed; however, its driver line-up of Alonso and Lance Stroll remains the same. 

For many, this is the biggest problem, with question marks continuing to be pointed at Lance and whether Aston Martin can become the F1 giants Lawrence envisions with his son driving.

As part of a series, RacingNews365 asked readers which driver they believed would come out on top from each of the 10 partnerships on the grid in 2025.

The verdict in the Aston Martin poll is the most one-sided in the entire series, in the clear favour of Alonso.

Full result below. Article continues underneath.

Analysis

Despite being 43 years old, Alonso is undoubtedly the lead driver at Aston Martin and by some margin. 

The Spaniard was responsible for 74.5% of the team's points last season, with Stroll having scored just 24 across the 24-race calendar. 

Both drivers are contracted until the end of 2026 – the first season of the new power unit regulations – so a driver change in the short-term is highly unlikely. 

Newey's arrival should give the team a boost; however, that boost might not come until next year with the 66-year-old focusing on the new regulations. 

Another difficult season is forecast for Aston Martin, raising the chances that both Alonso and Stroll will require their elbows out to score big points.

This is a natural trait of Alonso's, although his biggest difficulty will be settling for another season regularly adrift of the podium places. 

For Stroll, his priority must be performing consistently, having failed to score a point across the final 11 races last season.

The Canadian driver has showed in the past that he can string together a fast lap or a big points finish, but that has to be done on a regular basis to end the general belief that he is holding the team back. 

Stroll must be closer to Alonso, or risk his father coming under mounting pressure to make a decision to finally sign a driver of a higher standard. 

Rumours of Max Verstappen joining in the future are not set to disappear, although Stroll can use this to his advantage in an attempt to prove doubters wrong. 

In short, another difficult season is on the horizon for Aston Martin and with teams like Haas and Alpine improving, both Alonso and Stroll will need to perform to finish in at least fifth once again.