Although there are still six races left to finish the 2026 season, many eyes in Formula 1 are already focused on what could happen in 2027. And one of the teams that looks most to the future is Aston Martin, to the extent that its drivers are already testing the new car in the simulator. Last week Lance Stroll did so, and his words invite optimism.
The Fernando Alonso teammate is not known for being the most optimistic person in the paddock, but after testing the new AMR27 in the simulator, he has been more than satisfied. Stroll has expressed surprise at all the changes Adrian Newey has introduced in the new Aston Martin for 2027.
Stroll has tested the new Aston Martin in the simulator
For many Formula 1 teams, the remainder of the 2026 season is already just a formality, and their efforts are focused on 2027. The clearest example is Aston Martin, which needs to regroup after a tough year and already has its drivers working in the simulator with the car for the next season, according to Lance Stroll has confirmed.
Stroll has already been doing virtual laps with his AMR27, and he says he is “enthusiastic” about what looks set to be the new car. The Canadian driver asserts that “it’s a giant leap in the right direction. He has brilliant ideas for development going forward.” Words that carry special weight coming from Stroll.
And the son of the boss, perhaps precisely for that reason, has never been overly optimistic about the Aston Martin project. In fact, while Alonso, Newey and company were pulling political correctness, it was always Stroll who gave the most pessimistic forecasts for the car. His optimism for 2027 seems sincere.
In fact, in the same discussion, Stroll acknowledges that the current moment “is frustrating because we are not where we want to be”. The Canadian has only progressed past Q1 once in the entire season, in Malaysia, and has yet to score a single point on the board. For his part, Fernando Alonso has seven.
Second seasons of a technical regulation are usually fertile ground for a backmarker to rise many positions. Aston Martin itself knows this well, which it leveraged in 2023 to flirt with victories and climb onto many podiums. Ferrari, in 2010 and 2015, has also taken advantage of this in the past.
Although the big elephant in the room remains. No matter how much Newey and his team do, nothing will work if Honda does not play its part.
Images | Aston Martin
