Aston Martin has admitted it is chasing answers to the sudden dip in competitiveness that triggered an underwhelming weekend at Formula 1‘s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Silverstone-based squad was unable to make it three consecutive points-scoring rounds to begin 2025 as it departed Suzuka with both drivers outside the top 10.
Fernando Alonso lagged home in 11th place, 2.8 seconds behind Oliver Bearman’s Haas, while Lance Stroll wound up last as the sole driver to complete two pit stops.
Aston Martin had seemed in positive shape when the weekend started as Alonso placed as high as seventh in FP1, less than seven tenths down on the quickest time.
However, that would remain the team’s high point as Alonso ended up beached in the gravel in FP2 before then slipping to 15th on the timesheets come final practice.
But although he advanced into Q2 and lined up in 11th place, the Spaniard was unable to relinquish Bearman’s hold on the last point as overtaking proved challenging.
Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell has conceded the team must decipher the reason behind the downturn, one which he is reluctant to pin on a change in wind direction.
“The challenging bit is that on Friday we look stronger,” Cowell told media including Motorsport Week.
“So on Friday we were thinking we’ve dialled the car in better than at previous races.
“And then Saturday arrived and qualifying and Lance and the car bouncing. And then the race follows on from that, doesn’t it?
“This is one of those circuits that is heavily driven by where you position the car in qualifying. So I think we’ve missed a little bit of performance.
“I don’t just want to blame the wind. That feels like you’re blaming stuff outside your circle of influence. And this sport isn’t like that, is it?
“It’s about what’s inside your circle of influence. So we need to learn what it is that a wind direction changes with regards to car performance.
“It’s a figure of eight circuit. You can’t just go blaming the wind direction. That’s the only thing that we’ve spotted that changed.
“Is there something else that we’ve changed on the car set-up that’s changed the confidence of the drivers?
“You can see it in the car as well. I think we’ve got a little bit more performance within the car that’s here now.
“Saying that, we’re not fighting for wins. We’re a long way from that. So there’s a lot of work for us to do going forward.”
Aston Martin to pore over Suzuka data
However, Cowell acknowledged that Aston Martin’s variable performance swing had provided the team with wide-ranging data to pore over as it seeks an explanation.
“When you analyse a situation, you look at the best of the best and the worst of the worst,” he explained.
“It’s quite nice to be at the same track where we’ve got a stronger Friday and a weaker Saturday and therefore Sunday.
“You can just look at the differences across all the systems of the car, whether it’s the aerodynamic system, suspension, tyres, brakes, all of it, aero balance, etc.
“We can go away and we can learn from this weekend without being distracted by a DNF or damage from running across gravel.”
He added: “So actually, Lance running all three compounds in the race, both cars finishing,
and coming away without damaged cars means that we can just focus on the performance aspect. The aero, the vehicle dynamics, the tyre management.”
Alonso admits Aston Martin not competitive enough
Alonso, who reached the chequered flag having not done so in the opening two races, vowed that Aston Martin is reliant on upgrades to enhance the side’s prospects.
“At the moment, there is not enough pace,” he added. “We seem to struggle to be in the Q3.
“We’ve never been so far in the race to be in the top 10 with a normal race on merit. At the moment, we cannot achieve it. So it’s clear that we need to improve.
“In Bahrain, we have a nice opportunity.
“After the winter testing, we go back to the same place with some different ideas, maybe after the learnings of the first three races.
“So, yeah, looking forward to keep developing the car.”
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