Lawrence Stroll has a clear goal in Formula 1: to win. A simple word but a very ambitious concept. To achieve it, it is not enough to have the best facilities and top engineers; the right chemistry between all elements must be found. However, it is clear that the Aston Martin owner is investing everything necessary to make his dream a reality.
For this reason, 2025 represents an important transition year in preparation for 2026 and, most importantly, for the next technical cycle, where Aston Martin hopes to no longer be just a supporting player but a leading contender.
In his vision, Lawrence Stroll believes Andy Cowell is the right figure to achieve this goal. Andy Cowell, who previously served as CEO of Mercedes’ Powertrain division, was initially appointed as the team’s CEO before being promoted to Team Principal in a restructuring initiated by the British engineer himself in January.
In his few months at Silverstone, Cowell has already begun making his mark, leading a reorganization aimed at bringing order to the team and preventing certain individuals from bearing excessive responsibilities by holding dual roles. Restructuring is never painless, but it is often necessary to take the next step toward achieving objectives.
A horizontal structure has been introduced to efficiently separate trackside roles from factory operations, with expected results already this year. However, 2025 is still seen as a transition and adaptation phase, especially with the arrival of new technical personnel, laying solid foundations for the future.
That does not mean 2025 is a year without ambition—far from it. The team seeks a turnaround after a disappointing 2024, not only due to a lack of competitiveness but also because development was inconsistent, ultimately leading to the dismissal of former technical director Dan Fallows.
One key issue was that the car became increasingly difficult to drive. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll frequently complained that, in the pursuit of maximum aerodynamic performance, the car became unpredictable—at times nearly uncontrollable—overlooking the characteristics needed to translate theoretical performance into real results on track.
This is one of the areas engineers focused on with the new car, aiming to provide drivers with a machine that is not only competitive but also easy to understand because, to quote a famous slogan, “power is nothing without control.”
“I’m excited to start this season and see the AMR25 hit the track tomorrow in Bahrain. It is the culmination of tremendous effort and dedication at the AMR Technology Campus. We are all inspired by Aston Martin’s DNA and relentlessly pursue excellence both on and off the track,” said Cowell, speaking ahead of the car’s track debut in Sakhir for a filming day.
“For this year’s car, we have learned from last season’s lessons and feedback. We focused on designing a more drivable car for Lance and Fernando and worked hard to make it more comfortable.”
Last year, the AMR24’s philosophy completely deviated from its predecessor. While the AMR23 excelled in traction and slow corners, the 2024 car was more competitive in high-speed sections and long straights, benefiting from a more pronounced DRS effect.
However, a balance was never found, and the team even pursued two parallel development directions throughout 2024, alternating between them depending on track characteristics. This year, Aston Martin has aimed to move beyond this limitation, focusing its main efforts on aerodynamics and cooling rather than mechanics, which remain largely unchanged from last season.
The front wing has been significantly revised, especially in the outer sections, with modifications aimed at improving low-speed downforce, overall balance, and driver stability through all phases of a corner.
Similarly, the sidepods have been redesigned to be slimmer, maximizing airflow toward the rear, assisted by radiator repositioning. Special attention has been given to the floor, seeking to combine the best aspects of both concepts tested last season.
This car also marks a shift from the past because it is the first Aston Martin built entirely in the new factory. The latest-generation tools have accelerated the production of components, giving engineers more time for development. Now, however, the focus shifts to the track.
“We expect a competitive battle from the very first race in Australia, so we know it won’t be easy. Our goals are realistic, with a continuous improvement approach in all areas, especially as we head toward the major regulation changes coming in 2026,” added Andy Cowell.
Leave a Reply