Where did Aston Martin lose the battle with Red Bull and McLaren? Stroll explains
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
One year is not the other. Whilst Aston Martin got on the podium eight times in '24, the tally in the current F1 season stands at zero. The unpleasant news for the British team: only good luck seems to ensure that will change in the second half of the season. Lance Stroll thinks last year's performance has put sand in the eyes of the outside world. Indeed, his conclusion is: We are not and have not (yet) been a top team. He explains why Aston Martin lost the battle to Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.
It was Fernando Alonso who ensured that Aston Martin was represented on the podium very regularly in 2024. However, the Spaniard did not win in a Red Bull Racing-dominated season. "We had a quick car and some podiums and a lot of top fives," Stroll told the likes of GPblog. "But I think we still know we need to grow as a team and be stronger and more robust. I think ultimately we took a bit of a wrong direction in terms of development philosophy."
"We went down the wrong path and and we've slowly been realising that more and more.And now it's a matter of kind of changing path and then giving it time to develop and get good again by going down that different path. I think it's part of growing as a team. I think it's part of learning as a team. Unfortunately, we're paying the price now and we're not where we want to be on track, in the positions we want to be on track. But, we keep pushing forward."
Mercedes boss's arrival at Aston Martin welcomed
Perhaps attracting Andy Cowell (former Mercedes engines boss) as the new CEO will help Aston Martin take a big step forward. "No contact yet, no. In the past, yes, I knew Andy. We spoke a few times over the years."
"Very, very exciting news. I think it's uplifting for the whole team, the whole factory to see Andy come on board and be a part of the project, a legend in the sport and so much success over the years on the power unit side in Mercedes. So, nothing but exciting and positive news."
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.