Aston consolidates its ownership, while Alonso's future remains in limbo.
"We aim to gradually surpass our competitors."
Aston Martin has brought a new influential figure into its ownership structure as Honda's latest engine upgrade is set to debut at Zandvoort, while Fernando Alonso starts discussions about his racing future in 2027. Robert Wood Johnson, the former US Ambassador to the United Kingdom and a seasoned sports investor, has taken a strategic minority stake in the Formula 1 team and will join its board immediately as vice-chairman. Team owner Lawrence Stroll remarked, "His experience, passion, and investment significantly bolster our position as we embark on the next phase of our competitive journey."
On the sporting front, this new chapter kicks off this weekend with the upgraded Honda power unit. Honda F1 chief engineer Shintaro Orihara approached the Thursday press conference in a cheerful mood, displaying a sign that read: "Ask me anything ... except the kW or laptime. Nice try, though." He shared with reporters, "Confirming that our approach is correct on the track will boost our confidence. Therefore, it's essential for us to understand how this additional power performs in the Netherlands, not just regarding performance but also in terms of handling. We have a development plan for 2027 and 2028, though I cannot disclose the specific targets for those years."
"We aim to gradually surpass our competitors."
This engine upgrade follows Aston Martin's B-spec chassis launched before the summer break, but another pressing question now revolves around Alonso. Marca has reported the possibility of a new two-year contract, although there are speculation regarding a substantial salary request from the 45-year-old driver. Alonso himself was less definitive during his time at Zandvoort. "The current regulations are not the best, and the cars aren't the most enjoyable, but Formula 1 is and will always be my life," he stated. "I will be with this team in some capacity for the long run. It's not a matter of who will drive next year or whether I will race for one year or three more."
"I’ll discuss with Lawrence and Adrian about what the team needs, and if they wish for me to continue driving, I'll consider it and be pleased. If I can contribute more effectively in a different role, I'll consider that too." However, he acknowledged that clinching a third drivers’ championship remains "the ultimate dream."
Top official Mike Krack mentioned that the team has a desire for Alonso to remain behind the wheel. "Negotiations have been ongoing for months," he stated. "We are currently awaiting Fernando's decision and will proceed accordingly. Our stance has remained consistent: we wish to continue our collaboration with Fernando."
"As I have mentioned before, we are quite confident we can come to an agreement."
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