Alonso Eager to Bid Farewell to AMR25 Amidst Aston Martin Team Principal Rumors

Fernando Alonso is eagerly looking forward to bidding farewell to the AMR25 at the end of the season, viewing the final races as a "celebration" before Aston Martin shifts its focus to 2026. This sentiment comes amidst ongoing struggles for the team and swirling rumors about significant changes, including a potential new team principal.

Why it matters:

Fernando Alonso's open desire to move on from the current AMR25 car highlights Aston Martin's challenging season and signals the team's urgent need for a performance reset. The two-time world champion's frustration, combined with significant personnel changes like the rumored departure of team principal Andy Cowell and speculation about Christian Horner joining, points to a period of intense transition and uncertainty for Aston Martin as they look to improve their competitiveness in Formula 1.

The details:

• Alonso's Disappointment: After a disappointing 13th-place finish at the Las Vegas GP (later promoted to 11th), Alonso views the remaining two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as "celebratory" simply because they mark the end of his time with the AMR25.
• Team Principal Shake-up: Reports suggest Aston Martin has parted ways with team principal Andy Cowell, who joined the team as CEO at the end of 2024 and took on the team principal role at the start of this season, replacing Mike Krack. This departure occurred less than a year into his tenure.
• Potential Successors: Several prominent names are being linked to the vacant team principal position, including Andreas Seidl.
• Horner Speculation: Christian Horner, formerly of Red Bull Racing, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. However, Horner is reportedly serving a period of gardening leave until mid-2026, which would delay his ability to join a new team.

The big picture:

Aston Martin's aspirations for 2026 are clearly high, but the immediate future is clouded by performance issues and internal restructuring. The team is aiming to leverage the upcoming regulatory changes to make a significant leap, hoping to provide Alonso with a car that can consistently challenge at the front. The instability at the team principal level, however, could pose a challenge to a smooth transition and effective long-term strategy.

What's next:

Aston Martin will need to quickly resolve its leadership situation and intensify its development for the 2026 regulations to capitalize on the new era of Formula 1. Securing a strong, experienced team principal will be crucial for guiding their future projects and ensuring a more competitive car for Fernando Alonso and the team.