Aramco Aston Martin’s F1 performances have been, to say the least, lack luster. Could that all change in 2026?
The Silverstone-based Team has been flying under the radar with new facilities and new staff signings. Yes, everyone knows about Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull to join Aston Martin F1, but one man alone does not build a Super Team.
Team owner, Canadian Lawrence Stroll, has been collecting talent from other teams over the past years, with an eye on a 2026 title. Attracting key personnel is a long process; it sometimes takes several seasons to put all the people pieces in place.
Joining Newey is ex-Ferrari aerodynamicist Enrico Cardile, who becomes Chief Technical Officer after his enforced gardening leave from the Scuderia.
Ex-Mercedes and now Aston Martin F1 Team Principal, Andy Cowell’s background is in F1 engines. With both Cosworth, BMW and a leadership roll with Mercedes’ M10 power units, Cowell’s experience will fit in nicely with Aston Martin’s new 2026 power unit supplier. Honda, which has had so much success with the current Red Bull Team, will be eager to carry that forward to Aston Martin in the coming F1 seasons.
With key personnel in place, leaves only the driving talent to sort out.
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso’s contract expires at the end of 2026. The talented Spaniard has suggested he may bow out earlier if Aston Martin could secure the services of a super star, such as Max Verstappen, for example. No doubt 43-year-old Alonso would like to finish his F1 career on a high note, with a couple of tick marks in the win column in his last year; the 2026 car could afford him that opportunity.
The second Aston Martin F1 Driver is Lance Stroll, son of Team Owner Lawrence Stroll. For many in the F1 paddock, Lance’s position in the Team smacks of nepotism, with the 26-year-old only holding onto his seat because of his father. But is Lance really that bad? The car’s performance has not been sterling so far this Season, and Stroll has only managed to scrape in Q2 on two occasions, just behind his teammate, Alonso.
Who is on Aston Martin’s radar for a 2026 seat if Alonso steps aside or Lance loses interest in F1?
Max Verstappen is, no question, the first choice for any team owner. Despite having a Red Bull contract until the end 2028, a performance clause could provide an early exit for the 4-time World Champion, who is also on Mercedes’ shopping list. Having had a successful association at Red Bull with Adrian Newey, coupled with a boat load of cash offered by Aston Martin, could be tempting for the Dutchman.
Getting all the pieces to line up is no easy task, but if Aramco Aston Martin F1 can get its 2026 ducks in a row, the Team has an opportunity to take its long-awaited place at the head of the F1 grid.
“We are building one of the greatest Formula 1 teams that will be. And when I get very passionate, I win.” (Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin F1)
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