Aston Martin’s Bold Bet on Stroll and Alonso: A Risky Move or Strategic Genius?
Aston Martin’s 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster, with the team struggling to recapture the podium-contending form of 2023. Yet, new team principal Andy Cowell has doubled down on the current driver lineup of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, sparking heated debate among fans and analysts. As the team prepares for a pivotal 2026 season with new regulations and a works partnership with Honda, Cowell’s unwavering support for his drivers—particularly Stroll—raises questions about Aston Martin’s ambitions and whether their strategy will pay off or backfire spectacularly.
Cowell’s recent statements paint a picture of confidence in Alonso and Stroll, describing the team as “lucky” to have them. For Alonso, a two-time world champion, the praise is unsurprising. At 43, the Spaniard remains a formidable force, offering invaluable experience and technical insight. Cowell lauded Alonso’s ability to suggest performance improvements across various aspects of the car, calling him a “remarkable individual” whose competitive drive pushes the team forward. Alonso’s 2023 season, with six podiums in the first eight races, proved he can still compete at the highest level, even if the AMR25’s lackluster performance in 2025 has left him pointless so far.
Stroll, however, is a more divisive figure. The Canadian, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, has faced relentless criticism for his inconsistent results and a record-breaking number of Q1 eliminations. His 2024 season was marred by errors, including a humiliating crash on the formation lap in Brazil, which fueled accusations of nepotism. Yet, Cowell highlighted Stroll’s youth, hunger, and technical feedback as assets, a stance that has left many skeptical. Despite the AMR25’s struggles, Stroll has scored all of Aston Martin’s 10 points in 2025, with a P6 in Australia and P9 in China, outshining Alonso in the standings. This paradox—Stroll as the team’s sole points-scorer amid widespread doubt—underscores the complexity of Aston Martin’s driver dilemma.
The team’s challenges extend beyond the drivers. After a promising 2023, Aston Martin has regressed, finishing fifth in the 2024 constructors’ championship with just 94 points, a stark contrast to the 280 points the previous year. Cowell admitted the team “didn’t create a fast race car” in 2024, and 2025 has been equally tough, with the AMR25 lacking pace and reliability. The arrival of legendary designer Adrian Newey in 2025, focused exclusively on the 2026 car, adds intrigue. Newey’s reported $33 million salary and refusal to tweak the 2025 car have frustrated some, but a potential silver lining looms: finishing below P5 in 2025 could grant extra wind tunnel time, boosting Newey’s 2026 project.
Honda’s role adds another layer of complexity. As Aston Martin transitions from Mercedes to Honda power units in 2026, Honda president Koji Watanabe confirmed the manufacturer will “voice opinions” on the driver lineup, similar to their influence at Red Bull. This could challenge Stroll’s seat, especially if Alonso, who hinted at racing beyond 2026, remains. Meanwhile, speculation about a missed opportunity to sign Max Verstappen lingers. Pairing the four-time champion with Newey and Honda could have been a game-changer, but Aston Martin’s loyalty to Stroll and Alonso closed that door.
As upgrades loom for 2025 and the 2026 regulations approach, Aston Martin stands at a crossroads. Will Cowell’s faith in Stroll prove prophetic, or is the team squandering its potential by not pursuing a driver like Verstappen? With Newey’s genius, Honda’s backing, and Alonso’s experience, the ingredients for success are there—but only if the team can navigate the delicate balance of loyalty, ambition, and performance.
