Aston Martin

Aston Martin had to wait more than six decades for its second chance in Formula 1. Following an unsuccessful spell in 1959 and 1960, the British manufacturer returned to the championship in 2021, taking over from Racing Point. Under Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll, it began building a team with ambitions of challenging for world titles. The most successful period in Aston Martin's modern history came in 2023, when Fernando Alonso secured eight podium finishes. Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll and renowned designer Adrian Newey have also become prominent figures at the team.

Aston Martin's first spell in Formula 1 ended in failure

Aston Martin's Formula 1 history dates back to 1959, when the British manufacturer, led by David Brown, entered the world championship with the DBR4. Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby drove the car, but the team struggled with technical shortcomings from the outset and lagged behind its rivals.

Its best results were two sixth places, secured by Salvadori at the British and Portuguese Grands Prix. The main problem was the car's front-engined layout, while the more successful teams were already using more modern designs with the engine behind the driver.

The introduction of the revised DBR5 in 1960 brought no improvement. Aston Martin therefore ended its Formula 1 programme and focused on other motorsport activities. The marque would not return to the championship for another 61 years.

Lawrence Stroll and the journey from Force India to Aston Martin

The foundations of the current Aston Martin F1 team were laid long before the British manufacturer's return to the championship. The Silverstone-based outfit began life in 1991 as Jordan Grand Prix. It subsequently underwent several changes of ownership, competing as Midland, Spyker and Force India.

A pivotal moment came in 2018, when Force India ran into financial difficulties. The team was taken over by a consortium of investors led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of driver Lance Stroll. It subsequently continued under the Racing Point name.

Racing Point's greatest success came in the 2020 season. Sergio Pérez won the Sakhir Grand Prix, securing the team's first victory under that name. Lance Stroll finished third in the same race, and the team ended the season fourth in the constructors' championship.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Stroll also invested in Aston Martin, paving the way for the marque's return to Formula 1. From the 2021 season, Racing Point officially became Aston Martin F1 Team.

Aston Martin's F1 return and Sebastian Vettel's arrival

Aston Martin began its first season back in 2021 with a driver line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. The signing of the four-time world champion from Ferrari was intended to improve both results on track and the team's continued development.

Vettel secured the modern team's first podium with second place at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, Aston Martin was unable to match the competitiveness of its predecessor Racing Point throughout the season and finished seventh in the constructors' championship.

It finished in the same position in 2022, during which Mike Krack took over as team principal. Vettel announced his retirement from Formula 1 during the year and was succeeded by another multiple world champion, Fernando Alonso.

Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin's most successful season in 2023

Fernando Alonso's arrival from Alpine brought a significant improvement in Aston Martin's results. The Spaniard finished third on his team debut at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, confirming the competitiveness of the AMR23.

Alonso claimed six podium finishes in the opening eight Grands Prix. He came closest to victory in Monaco, where he finished second behind Max Verstappen. He added another second place in Canada and ended the season with eight podium finishes.

Although Aston Martin gradually lost ground to the fastest teams in the second half of the year, 2023 remained its most successful season since returning to Formula 1. The team scored 280 points and finished fifth in the constructors' championship. Alonso was fourth in the drivers' standings, while Lance Stroll finished tenth.

There was also an important step forward away from the circuit. In 2023, Aston Martin opened the first phase of its new technology campus at Silverstone, gradually moving its departments into the facility. The modern premises were intended to improve collaboration between designers, aerodynamicists and other team members.

Aston Martin in 2024 and 2025: Declining results and Adrian Newey's arrival

After a successful 2023, Aston Martin was unable to maintain its rate of car development. It failed to secure a single podium finish in 2024 and, despite finishing fifth in the constructors' championship, its points tally fell to 94. Most of those points were scored by Fernando Alonso, who regularly outperformed team-mate Lance Stroll.

The lack of progress on track was accompanied by changes in the technical department. During 2024, Dan Fallows left his position as technical director, while the team announced the signing of renowned designer Adrian Newey, who had spent almost two decades at Red Bull Racing.

Newey officially joined Aston Martin in March 2025 as managing technical partner. His arrival was among the most significant appointments in the team's history, with the British designer having contributed to the development of championship-winning cars at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

Another important change was the appointment of Andy Cowell as team principal at the start of 2025. The former head of Mercedes' engine division replaced Mike Krack, who remained with the team in a role overseeing trackside performance. Aston Martin also brought its own wind tunnel at Silverstone into operation, giving it greater independence in developing its cars.

The 2025 season itself, however, failed to deliver the expected improvement. The AMR25 was unable to challenge the leading teams regularly, and Aston Martin spent most of the year in the midfield.

Fernando Alonso achieved the team's best result at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing fifth. Lance Stroll was seventh in the same race, making it one of the team's most successful weekends. Despite a difficult start to the season, Alonso climbed to tenth in the final drivers' standings, while Stroll finished 16th.

Aston Martin ended the 2025 season seventh in the constructors' championship with 89 points. The team had therefore dropped two places compared with the previous two seasons.

By the end of the 2025 season, Aston Martin had completed five years since its return to Formula 1, securing nine podium finishes but no victories under its current name. Despite Lawrence Stroll's substantial investment in personnel and technical infrastructure, Fernando Alonso's eight podiums in 2023 remained its main achievement on track. The arrival of Adrian Newey and the construction of a modern technology centre also demonstrated the team's continued long-term efforts to become a championship contender.