Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has predicted Aston Martin will secure Grand Prix victories by 2028, despite the team’s challenging start to the current 2026 season. Coulthard believes Aston Martin is poised to make the most significant progress of any team over the next two years.
The Silverstone-based outfit has faced considerable difficulties during the 2026 campaign, struggling to meet pre-season expectations. The AMR26 car, designed by Adrian Newey, and its Honda power unit have not delivered the anticipated performance, leaving the team towards the rear of the field.
Aston Martin currently holds ninth position in the Constructors’ Championship standings, having accumulated only one point across the opening ten rounds. This solitary point was secured by Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix, a race marked by unusual circumstances and numerous penalties.
Coulthard acknowledged the team’s poor performance, stating that Aston Martin would likely wish to ‘erase’ the 2026 season from the record books. He estimated that a significant performance deficit, approximately one second, stemmed from the engine, with an additional ‘couple of seconds’ attributed to the car itself.
However, a major upgrade package introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July showed promising signs. The comprehensive 16-part update included revised floor geometry, updated sidepod inlets, and a new rear wing design.
Initial data from the Hungaroring suggested a performance gain of several tenths per lap, with Fernando Alonso reaching Q2 for the first time this season. Alonso commented that the car felt ‘much more balanced’ after the upgrades.
Team Principal Adrian Newey, who officially started work at Aston Martin on March 1, 2025, and took over as Team Principal in 2026, shared early observations on the Hungary updates. He stated that ‘getting to a point of respectability’ was the immediate goal.
Newey’s arrival at Aston Martin was announced in September 2024, and he also holds roles as Managing Technical Partner and co-owner. His influence is considered a key factor in the team’s long-term development.
The team’s preparation for the 2026 season was reportedly compromised by development delays, with the 2026 car model not entering the wind tunnel until April 2025, four months later than competitors. Newey also indicated that the true extent of Honda’s struggles was not fully known until November 2025.
Despite the current challenges, Aston Martin is already making ‘big architectural decisions’ for its 2027 car, the AMR27, focusing on elements like engine positioning, suspension, and gearbox shape. This aims to avoid the development pressures experienced in 2026.
Coulthard’s confidence in Aston Martin’s future is significantly tied to Newey’s technical leadership and the team’s new infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and the Honda works engine partnership.
The upgraded Honda power unit is scheduled to debut at the Dutch Grand Prix later this month, which could further contribute to the team’s performance recovery.
Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman, has consistently articulated his ambition for the team to contend for championships, supported by substantial investment in their Silverstone campus.
‘Mark my words, they will be the biggest improving team over the next two years, and I will predict they will win Grands Prix in the next two years,’ Coulthard stated on the ‘Up To Speed’ podcast.
Newey has also expressed confidence in retaining Fernando Alonso for 2027, acknowledging the significant contribution the two-time World Champion brings to the team through his feedback and ability.
