Former AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost believes that Aston Martin has the potential to become the team of the future. Over the past few years, team owner Lawrence Stroll has invested heavily in new infrastructure and personnel. The icing on the cake was the arrival of Red Bull’s top designer Adrian Newey, who is currently busy designing the car for 2026. All the ingredients for a successful future are in place.
The recent developments at the Aston Martin team can certainly be described as extensive. A brand-new factory was built in Silverstone, along with a high-tech simulator that became operational in mid-March. The Brits have also recently started using a new wind tunnel. The benefits of this should soon be visible on the track. Meanwhile, Adrian Newey is working on the car for 2026, and it’s up to Andy Cowell – former engine technician at Mercedes – to ensure everything runs smoothly.
It seems only a matter of time before Aston Martin becomes truly competitive; after all, the results in the current championship are disappointing. From 2026, when the new technical regulations come into effect, this could change. With the help of engine supplier Honda, which has performed strongly with Red Bull in recent years, the team seems assured of a very strong foundation.
The ‘Team of the Future’
“I believe that Aston Martin is becoming the team of the future,” Franz Tost told Sport1. “They have attracted some very talented people, including Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell. In my opinion, Newey is the best technician in the paddock and has a wealth of experience.”
“I remember Cowell from my time at BMW,” the Austrian continued. “He built a legendary ten-cylinder engine back then – by far the best on the grid. Later, he also did fantastic work at Mercedes.”
“So, you could argue that Aston Martin has the best man in both car design and powertrain design,” Tost argued. “Of course, Honda is responsible for the engine, but I can well imagine that Cowell has close ties with the Japanese. In addition, Aston Martin has a very modern factory with the right facilities. That’s why I think they really are the future of Formula 1.” The question is whether the team can attract a top driver with all this. There were already rumors that Stroll had offered Max Verstappen a mega contract, but the Dutchman remains tight-lipped about transfers.
“One thing is certain, Max (Verstappen) has his pick of the teams,” said Tost. “Everyone would like to sign him because he is simply three-tenths of a lap faster than the rest – that’s a huge advantage. But at the moment he is still a Red Bull driver; he has a long-term contract there. The question is whether he will terminate it early. Mercedes has the best credentials, although Aston Martin could also be interesting. Personally, I think Aston Martin is the best choice.”
