Why Aston Martin is a bigger threat than Audi for F1’s new era

Why Aston Martin is a bigger threat than Audi for F1’s new era

Fernando Alonso, Audi, Adrian Newey (images via IMAGO)

Formula 1 achieved a massive win by bringing German carmaker Audi for the 2026 regulations. The Volkswagen-owned brand became the first new manufacturer to commit to the new rules. However, it seems that Britain’s Aston Martin might have better prospects.

Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll renamed Racing Point to Aston Martin in 2021 after acquiring the British carmaker. On the other hand, Audi is in the process of taking over the Sauber F1 team to make its foray onto the grid in 2026.

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Both automakers have their own legacy. However, Aston Martin and Audi have failed to make a mark in Formula 1 over the years. Now, it seems that the British carmaker will have an advantage against its German counterpart.

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Aston Martin ticks all the boxes for 2026

The Silverstone-based team has invested heavily in recent years courtesy of Stroll. A state-of-the-art wind tunnel and a factory expansion will allow Aston Martin to be on equal terms with the top teams. Moreover, Adrian Newey’s arrival is undoubtedly the biggest non-driver move on the grid in the past decade.

Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin AMR24
Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin AMR24 (images via IMAGO)

On the other hand, Audi has went through a managerial shake-up. Ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has taken reigns of the project, admitting that it was in a frozen state. Moreover, the German carmaker has even sold a minority stake to Qatar, something it had not considered just a few months ago.

On-track, it is a similar story. Despite going through a slump in performance, Aston Martin remains a regular points contender. Fernando Alonso will likely remain with the team in 2026 to witness the start of its exclusive partnership with Honda.

While for Audi, things are starkly different. Sauber was undoubtedly the worst on the grid last season, so much so that even Carlos Sainz decided to join Williams instead. Nico Hulkenberg is a solid lead driver in the midfield, but not someone who can help a team fight for the title.

2026 could see a shake-up on the grid, potentially risking the dominance of the top teams. Though, if one was to bet on a new challenger, Aston Martin would be a much safer option compared to Audi. It remains to be seen if things stay this way in the next few months.