Striking Aston Martin prediction made: 'They will win grands prix'

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has predicted Aston Martin will become a race-winning team within the next two years despite its slow start to the current campaign.

The Silverstone-based squad commenced the sport's new era under fresh technical regulations on the back foot with an uncompetitive chassis.

Its struggles were deepened further by Honda's underwhelming power unit, with the package languishing towards the back of the season for the opening half of the season.

Aston Martin introduced its first major upgrade last time out in Hungary and gained considerable time, but was still left deep inside the midfield battle.

Honda is due to deploy an upgrade of its own at the Dutch Grand Prix next month.

While the 2026 season has so far been a painful experience for the team, Coulthard believes it has the pieces in place to become a successful outfit in the near future.

“I think even Aston themselves would go 'we want this season to be erased from the record books',” he told the Up To Speed podcast.

“That one point came courtesy of Fernando Alonso, of course, in Monaco in a race where there were more penalties than there were drivers.

“Aston... really, really bad, we have to say it. Really, really bad. The summary was about a second coming from the engine, a couple of seconds coming from the car.

“But mark my words, they will be the biggest improving team over the next two years.

“I will predict they will win grands prix in the next two years.”

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Coulthard backs Newey to 'get it right'

Aston Martin's form was a topic of intrigue ahead of the sport's new era due to the arrival of renowned F1 car designer Adrian Newey, who has since taken on the title of team principal.

The Briton has designed many championship-winning cars for various teams across his lengthy F1 career.

Having worked extensively with Newey in the past, Coulthard has backed the 67-year-old to turn the project at Aston Martin around. 

“He's a racer, and what he doesn't do is corporate PR,” he said.

“What you see is what you get, and that's actually why he's the one person that can handle that. 

“And if that had been any other team, any other designer, technical director or team principal, then he probably would have been gone. 

“But because it's Adrian, you know he's going to get it right.”