BREAKING Former Aston Martin boss claims team is slower than F2 cars in grim data verdict…Former Aston Martin boss claims team is slower than F2 cars in grim data verdict
Aston Martin’s Formula 1 struggles have been laid bare by a remarkable comparison involving Formula 2 machinery, with former team principal Otmar Szafnauer claiming the team’s cars were recording lower straight-line speeds than F2 competitors under certain conditions.
The striking claim has added to the growing scrutiny surrounding Aston Martin’s difficult 2026 campaign, with the Silverstone-based team facing a combination of performance and technical challenges.
Szafnauer, who previously led Aston Martin’s F1 operation, highlighted data from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend at Baku. The circuit is particularly demanding because of its long start-finish straight, where outright top speed can make a significant difference.
According to the comparison discussed by Szafnauer, Aston Martin’s cars recorded lower speeds during Friday practice than the leading F2 machinery managed during its qualifying session. The F2 benchmark was around 316 km/h, while Aston Martin’s figures were below that mark.
The numbers immediately sparked discussion among Formula 1 fans, with the headline comparison suggesting that an F2 car could actually be faster than a modern F1 machine.
However, the data requires important context.
The comparison was made using different sessions and circumstances. Aston Martin’s figures came from practice, while the F2 figure came from qualifying. More importantly, F1 and F2 cars use fundamentally different powertrain and energy-management systems.
At Baku, F1 cars can encounter a phenomenon known as clipping towards the end of the enormous straight. Once the available electrical energy has been deployed, the car can stop receiving additional hybrid assistance or begin harvesting energy. An F2 car does not have the same hybrid deployment strategy, meaning its speed profile can look very different.
Aston Martin’s race performance also provided evidence that the headline figure did not tell the whole story. During the Grand Prix, the team’s cars were capable of exceeding the F2 speed-trap benchmark.
The comparison therefore does not mean that an F2 car is genuinely faster than an Aston Martin around the Baku circuit. F1 cars remain dramatically faster over a complete lap because of their vastly greater aerodynamic performance, braking capability and cornering speeds.
Indeed, the gap was illustrated by qualifying lap times. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso was able to complete a lap substantially faster than the leading F2 car, despite the F2 machinery recording an impressive speed on the long straight.
Nevertheless, the figures underline a serious weakness for Aston Martin. The team has struggled to extract competitive performance from its 2026 package, while questions have also surrounded the interaction between its chassis, aerodynamics and Honda power unit.
The situation is particularly significant because Aston Martin has invested heavily in its long-term F1 project, including its technical partnership with Honda and preparations for future regulations.
Szafnauer’s comments therefore provide another indication of just how far Aston Martin needs to progress. While the “slower than F2” headline requires context, the underlying straight-line data highlights a genuine performance issue that the team will need to address as the 2026 season continues.
