Pedro de la Rosa, Aston Martin Formula 1 Ambassador, has revealed the team holds a strong confidence in a far more successful 2027 season, having learned valuable lessons from the first year of the sport's new regulations.
The 2026 season has been a struggle for Aston Martin. The manufacturer deal with Honda, which began this year, has been a crucial factor in the team's slip to the back of the grid. Honda's underperforming power unit and Aston's AMR26 chassis left much to be desired. However, as the season progressed, improvements began to show. Honda continued to develop its engine, while Aston Martin refined its chassis. The result was a gradual upturn in performance, with the team showing signs of a resurgence.
Behind the scenes, legendary designer Adrian Newey has shifted half of his focus to 2027. Newey's presence offers great hope that Aston Martin can return to at least its previous status as a strong midfielder. The technical regulations, which will remain stable for the next two seasons, provide a consistent baseline for the team to work from.
De la Rosa emphasised that this year's experience has been invaluable. He highlighted the significant upgrade introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which immediately paid off. "Well, I think that we learned a lot this year with these new regulations," he told Motorsport Week in an exclusive interview. "And I think that the fact that we brought this significant upgrade in Hungary, and it worked, it was positive. But more positive was the fact that it worked as we expected. So this has given us a very strong understanding of the new regulations. And a strong confidence that whatever we do now for 27 will translate in lap time. So we are well positioned, I would say, for 27."
De la Rosa's confidence is not unfounded. The 2026 season is the first year of a regulatory cycle that splits power almost 50:50 between ICE and electric. Teams that adapt quickly will have an edge. Aston Martin, despite early struggles, has shown the ability to learn and develop. With Newey overseeing development and the Honda partnership maturing, the prospects for 2027 look bright.
Competitors will not stand still, of course. Other teams will also exploit the stable regulations to fine-tune their packages. However, Aston Martin has a valuable asset: bitter experience turned into deep understanding. If they can maintain their development momentum, it's not impossible they could return to competing at the front.
For fans, Aston Martin's revival will be a fascinating spectacle. The Silverstone-based team has a long history and a loyal fan base. With the confidence expressed by de la Rosa, that hope is rekindled. The 2027 season may still be far away, but preparations are already underway. And Aston Martin appear ready to make amends for their slump.
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