Franz Tost believes that several factors explain Aston Martin’s current difficulties, even mentioning Adrian Newey’s health as a factor that could influence the project.
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For Tost, the first problem is clearly related to the new engine developed by Honda.
Honda’s failure
“First of all, unfortunately, Honda missed the mark with this new engine,” he said. “They built something that doesn’t work as they had planned.”
Despite this criticism, the Austrian remains confident in the Japanese manufacturer’s ability to fix the situation: “I know the Japanese and I am convinced they will solve the problem by next year at the latest,” he added.
Tost also points out that Adrian Newey joined the Aston Martin project relatively late: “Adrian Newey joined Aston Martin very late. I believe he really only started working in April last year and, for such a colossal project, that is an extremely short time. There is still a lot to fix.”
Newey coughs and Aston Martin catches a cold
But it is especially another remark that caught attention. While several rumors have recently circulated about Newey’s surprisingly discreet profile within the team and possible concerns related to his health, Tost hinted that this aspect could also play a role: “I think that if his health allows it, he will manage to design a good car for 2027. I am even quite convinced of that.”
This sentence obviously does not confirm any particular health problem concerning Newey, but it reignites speculation about the role currently played by the British engineer in the Aston Martin project.
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Meanwhile, Tost also spoke about the sensation of the 2026 championship: Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Even though he still considers Max Verstappen as the absolute reference in the discipline, he says he is particularly impressed by the Mercedes driver.
“Verstappen is currently clearly the best Formula 1 driver, there is no doubt about that,” he said. “But I have to say that Kimi Antonelli is doing a sensational job. It’s really impressive.”
Astonished by Antonelli
Tost even admits to being surprised by the advantage the Italian currently has over his teammate George Russell: “I am surprised that Antonelli is controlling Russell so clearly at the moment. He is faster. I did not expect such a difference.”
Still a part-time consultant for Red Bull Racing, the Austrian believes that Antonelli’s first months at the highest level are remarkable: “For his level of experience, he delivered a sensational performance during these first races. The calm with which he drives, the overall vision he demonstrates… he already belongs to the new generation of superstars.”
Tost also considers that the young Italian benefits from the best possible environment thanks to Toto Wolff: “The important thing is that he doesn’t get a big head. With Toto, he has an excellent team principal and a true leader. He will know how to guide him in the right direction.”
For Tost, while Verstappen remains today the absolute reference in Formula 1, Antonelli already seems to have all the qualities necessary to become one of the major figures of the next decade.
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