Coulthard: Aston Martin will be F1's most improved team and win races within two years

Former F1 driver David Coulthard predicts Aston Martin will become the grid's most improved team over the next two years, backing them to win grands prix despite a disastrous 2026 campaign. The Silverstone outfit sits 10th in the constructors' championship with just one point, yet Coulthard insists a turnaround is inevitable.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin entered the 2026 regulatory era as one of the most ambitious projects on the grid. The lineup includes Adrian Newey's design leadership, Fernando Alonso, a new Honda works power unit, a cutting-edge wind tunnel, and Lawrence Stroll's substantial funding. Their collapse to the back of the field makes Coulthard's optimism a striking counterpoint to widespread disappointment, underscoring the gap between infrastructure and immediate results.

The details:

• On the Up To Speed podcast, Coulthard said: "Mark my words... they will be the biggest improving team over the next two years. And I will predict they will win grands prix in the next two years."
• Aston Martin's only point came at Monaco, where Alonso moved up after penalties for other drivers.
• The team introduced an extensive upgrade in Hungary. While neither Alonso nor Lance Stroll scored, Stroll described it as a "huge step" and said the car was finally "in the mix" of the midfield after finishing 13th and 14th.
• Stroll admitted the team still needs to find "a lot of power" and more downforce to continue climbing.

What's next:

The Hungary package suggests Aston Martin has found a development path worth pursuing. With Newey's influence set to deepen and Honda's engine partnership still in its early stages, the team is playing a long game. Whether that patience produces the race wins Coulthard foresees will determine if Stroll's ambitious project can truly challenge at the front.