Aston Martin eyes 2025 progress, awaiting Newey’s touch

Aston Martin is preparing for a challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with team insiders suggesting tempered expectations ahead of Adrian Newey's highly anticipated arrival from Red Bull Racing.

Team faces transition period

The Silverstone-based outfit, which secured a major coup by signing the legendary designer Newey, will have to wait until March 3 for their new technical mastermind to begin his role as managing technical partner.

This timing, mere days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, has led to realistic expectations within the team for the upcoming campaign.

Former F1 driver Roberto Merhi has provided insight into the team's current situation, suggesting Aston Martin is essentially "waiting for Newey to put out the fires."

The Spanish driver believes the team will face an uphill battle in the early stages of 2025, though he expects them to maintain their position ahead of Williams, Sauber, Haas, and VCARB.

Focus on 2026

Daniel Juncadella, Aston Martin's newly appointed simulator driver, has confirmed the team's measured outlook for 2025.

"They are low,"

Juncadella acknowledged when asked about expectations.

"However, he was quick to dismiss any notion of the team writing off the season entirely, emphasizing that "it's important that it's a competitive year."

The team's strategy appears focused on gathering crucial data for 2026, when Formula 1 will introduce new technical regulations.

This timing aligns perfectly with Newey's arrival, as the decorated designer will work closely with incoming engine partners Honda and fuel suppliers Aramco on developing the team's first car under the new ruleset.

Honda partnership developments

The collaboration with Honda adds another layer of complexity to Aston Martin's future prospects.

Recent comments from Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe about the challenges of the 2026 engine regulations initially raised concerns, though these have been contextualized as reflecting industry-wide challenges rather than Honda-specific issues.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed confidence in Honda's capabilities, despite acknowledging potential setbacks from their brief withdrawal from the sport.

"They're a very capable company and they've got great strength," Horner stated, predicting a "competitive power unit come 2026."

Immediate Plans

Before Newey's arrival, Aston Martin will unveil their 2025 challenger, the AMR25, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll presenting the new livery at Formula 1's inaugural season-launch event in London.

The car's official launch is scheduled for February 23, followed by a filming day in Bahrain, leading into the pre-season test from February 26-28.