
Guenther Steiner understands what Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is going through, but says his lack of ‘patience’ will cost him in the long run. Stroll’s team are struggling at the foot of the standings.
The Canadian businessman had said back in 2022 that the team would be at ‘the top’ within five years. With just a year left before that deadline, they have yet to score a point and have five DNFs in three weekends.
With issues piling up for both Aston Martin and their engine suppliers Honda, a quick turnaround doesn’t look likely anytime soon.
During an appearance on the Drive to Wynn podcast, Steiner pointed out that Stroll has backed up his words with actions, putting nearly £1bn into the team. That investment includes a new factory in 2024 and the hiring of top names like Enrico Cardile, Andy Cowell, and Adrian Newey.
Even so, Stroll has made plenty of changes at the top. Aston Martin are now searching for their fifth different team principal in as many years.
Newey took over towards the end of last year after winning a power struggle with Cowell. But now he’s reportedly moving back to his technical partner role while the team look for yet another new boss.
Steiner believes Stroll’s impatience is part of why Aston Martin haven’t made it into Formula 1’s elite circle.
“Lawrence has done what he said he was going to do,” he said. “He just was not successful. He built up the new facility in Silverstone, which is fantastic, he got the best people in.
“I think he has not got the patience which is needed in Formula 1. If it doesn’t work in six or 12 months, he changes. “The cycle is not 12 months in Formula 1. You need to wait until something works.”
Honda have, rightly or wrongly, received most of the blame for Aston Martin’s crisis. There is some hope that the team can be competitive once the Japanese manufacturer debugs their engine and finds more horsepower.
“I’m sure he cannot push Honda,” said Steiner. “Honda will take the time it takes to get this right. He will have no say in that one. He can put pressure on, tell them to hurry up, but they will do it at their pace, as they did when they came back last time.
Jonathan Wheatley is favourite to become Aston Martin’s new boss after leaving Audi, but no deal has been done yet.
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