23-podium driver would ‘walk away’ from his new team to join Adrian Newey at Aston Martin

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After signing Adrian Newey, Aston Martin have assembled an engineering team capable of delivering championships. With 25 titles to his name, Newey is widely regarded as the greatest designer in F1 history.

Together with Enrico Cardile, who’s recently joined from Ferrari, and Dan Fallows, a former colleague at Red Bull, Newey will be tasked with delivering a world-class chassis. Andy Cowell will then head up the team’s exclusive partnership with Honda.

Given the personnel they have at their disposal, they should be formidable in both departments. But questions remain over the driver line-up.

Fernando Alonso is a two-time world champion, but he’s also 43 years old. By the end of 2026 – when his new contract expires – he’ll be 45.

Unless Aston immediately win the title following the regulation changes, which is unlikely but not unfeasible, Alonso may retire before they reach their peak. And that could put the onus on his teammate Lance Stroll, son of owner Lawrence.

Stroll has scored three podiums in his career but has developed a reputation as an error-prone, inconsistent driver. Very few, if any, in the paddock would regard him as world championship material.

Aston Martin could attract Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon after signing Adrian Newey

As such, Aston may have to replace Alonso with a star name who can lead their team. Writing for The Race, journalist Josh Suttill suggests Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon could be candidates.

The former has only just signed for Williams after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton. But Sainz can leave in 2026, according to new boss James Vowles, under an exit clause in his contract.

That could align nicely with Alonso’s potential retirement. Albon is under contract for a further year after a recent extension.

Sainz has scored 23 podiums in his career, while his future teammate has two. Suttill also talked up potential moves for George Russell and Oscar Piastri, who may not want to be left ‘in the shadows’.

He wrote: “With its new hand, could it attract a George Russell or Oscar Piastri, drivers who don’t want to be in the shadow of Kimi Antonelli or Lando Norris?

“And you’d imagine Carlos Sainz would walk away from Williams for a return to a factory team. If Alex Albon beats him at Williams then you’ve got another proven and poachable asset there too.”

How Carlos Sainz could bring £45m to Williams

Williams pulled off one of the most impressive coups in recent F1 history when they secured Sainz’s signature. But that reflects the reality that they need to earn his long-term faith.

Albon’s points-finish at Monza last time out was just their third of the season, increasing their total to six. Only scoreless Sauber have a poorer record in 2024.

Vowles has clearly laid out a vision of an exciting future, but Sainz has negotiated an exit route in case that doesn’t come to pass. Albon doesn’t expect Williams to win until 2027 at the earliest.

In addition to his talents behind the wheel, the 30-year-old also brings commercial ties. Williams could strike a £45m-per-year Santander deal after the Spanish bank ended their partnership with Ferrari.