(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to David Coulthard, Aston Martin has passed the low point of the difficult 2026 Formula 1 season. He now sees a positive trend in the team from Silverstone and draws parallels to the development of McLaren, which fought its way back to the top after a low point.
Read more «Be very careful»: Mika Häkkinen sees new risks with team orders
“There is a change in dynamics. They have reached the low point,” explains Coulthard in the Up To Speed podcast with regard to the development at Aston Martin.
As an example, the 13-time Grand Prix winner refers to McLaren: “If we remember McLaren … What is that now, three seasons ago? They were practically at their low point and then came back and became world champions.”
Aston Martin so far lagging behind
The starting position of the British team is indeed difficult. Aston Martin currently ranks tenth and thus second to last in the constructors’ standings with only three points so far this season. All points are credited to Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll has remained without points so far.
Expectations were high before the start of the 2026 season. Aston Martin started the year with a new partnership with Honda for the power unit. In addition, the new Formula 1 car was the first Aston Martin Formula 1 car developed under the technical leadership of Adrian Newey.
However, reality initially looked different. In the first half of the season, Aston Martin struggled with significant problems with the car and the power unit.
Aston Martin: All F1 cars since 1991, from Jordan through Force India & Co.
Only with a comprehensive B-spec car in Hungary and further improvements to the power unit in the Netherlands was the team able to set new impulses. But even at the Grand Prix in Zandvoort, it became clear that Aston Martin has not yet overcome all its difficulties.
Progress despite further problems
Naomi Schiff, former W Series driver and Sky analyst as well as Coulthard’s co-host in the podcast, therefore describes the current phase as a development process.
Read more Audi in Monza: What does the new gear ratio bring?
“At the moment, it is a process of further development for them, right? It’s mainly about learning,” says Schiff. The sprint weekend in Zandvoort additionally complicated the situation. “It is difficult to bring big upgrades there, make changes and at the same time really understand your own package.”
Nevertheless, Aston has made progress, although question marks remain. Both drivers reported problems with downshifting and the drivability of the engine.
“I am sure they took all this data home and made some adjustments that we will probably see in Monza,” explains Schiff with a view to the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.
Alonso gets the maximum out
Schiff rates Alonso’s performance in the Netherlands particularly positively. The Spaniard finished ninth and thus scored important points for the team.
“He showed an incredible performance and brought this car to ninth place,” says Schiff. Although the Aston Martin officials also benefited from six retirements, Schiff relativizes the influence of the numerous DNFs.
“There were six retirements, but if you look at who did not finish, of course Max [Verstappen] was among them, who probably would have finished ahead of him. However, with the others, you can discuss whether they would actually have been ahead of Fernando or landed roughly where he was.”
For now, Aston Martin remains at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, but the recent technical steps raise hope for improvement. Coulthard sees a new dynamic. Whether the manufacturer will achieve a similar turnaround to McLaren in the long term remains to be seen.
Read more This is the weather for the Formula 1 weekend in Monza