Aston Martin’s Latest Upgrade Creates a Stark Contrast Between Drivers
In a dramatic turn of events for Aston Martin in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Fernando Alonso’s performance has drastically improved thanks to a crucial car upgrade. The introduction of a new floor, diffuser, and sidepod revisions at Imola has revolutionized Alonso’s driving experience, allowing him to feel more connected to the AMR25 and consequently achieve better results on the track.
Alonso expressed his newfound confidence in the car, stating, “It seems that I’m able to push the car to the limit now… I feel in a good moment.” However, his teammate, Lance Stroll, has not fared as well, struggling to find his pace and performance since the upgrades were implemented. Stroll’s dissatisfaction with the car was evident as he expressed feeling “pretty slow” and not noticing any significant improvements.
The disparity in feedback between the drivers has raised concerns within the Aston Martin team, especially in the fiercely competitive midfield where every detail matters. Despite glimpses of promise, such as Stroll’s strong performance in Q1 at the Canadian Grand Prix, the team has been unable to capitalize on opportunities due to unforeseen setbacks like red flags and qualifying strategies.
Team principal Andy Cowell acknowledged the challenges faced by Stroll, emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning the car’s setup to extract the best performance. While Aston Martin contemplates a second upgrade to address Stroll’s issues, the focus remains on capitalizing on Alonso’s success by enhancing overall team performance.
However, the AMR25’s Achilles heel lies in its race pace, with higher tyre degradation compared to rivals, as Alonso noted, “We are sometimes one or two tenths away from the top teams in qualifying, and then we are one minute away in the race.” This discrepancy underscores the need for Aston Martin to strike a balance between qualifying and race setups to secure valuable championship points.
As Aston Martin navigates the challenges of optimizing its car performance for both drivers, the team’s ultimate goal remains clear: to bridge the gap in performance between Alonso and Stroll and position themselves as strong contenders in the Formula 1 midfield battle.
