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Former Honda engineer Yasuaki Asaki has compared the current state of the Aston Martin F1 team to Red Bull Racing’s heyday in the sport, highlighting how the British constructor is struggling due to Lawrence Stroll’s total power over the team.
The Japanese power unit engineer led Honda’s efforts during Red Bull’s most recent bout of success with Max Verstappen, culminating in four drivers’ titles for the Dutchman and two constructors’ championships to boot.
Red Bull’s success with Verstappen shares some stark similarities to their previous dominance in the sport, which came through Sebastian Vettel in the opening years of the 2010s. The team’s top brass remained unchanged, and the blueprint seemed to work again.
Can Aston Martin’s relationship with Honda survive long-term?
However, with Honda’s new era now being with Red Bull’s rivals down the pit lane, Aston Martin, things have gotten off to a trickier start than they did with the Milton Keynes-based outfit. Following a disastrous start to 2026, it’s safe to say they are currently in turmoil.
Lawrence Stroll’s power over the team has been called into question, with it recently emerging that Aston Martin’s board are currently looking to review the Canadian billionaire’s influence following a disappointing winter break.
Interestingly, things may unfold in a similar vein to Christian Horner’s final months at Red Bull, prior to his sacking in the midst of the 2025 F1 campaign. The ex-team principal was locked in a power struggle with Helmut Marko, and things turned sour very quickly.
- READ MORE: Yasuaki Asaki says Honda weren’t brave enough to stop Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin ‘disaster’
Yasuaki Asaki thinks Lawrence Stroll needs a Helmut Marko-like figure at Aston Martin
In an interview with Web Sportiva, Asaki assessed Stroll’s management of the Silverstone-based F1 outfit by comparing it to Red Bull’s winning formula from recent years. The former Honda man began by comparing the parallels between the two F1 teams.
“I believe there are many similarities between Aston Martin and Red Bull, with whom Honda has formed a partnership,” said Asaki.
“Red Bull’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, and Aston Martin’s owner, Lawrence Stroll, are both outstanding businessmen and team leaders with absolute authority. Both also possess an extraordinary passion for victory.”
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The engine expert sees a big discrepancy between them, though, adding, “However, the major difference is that Mateschitz always had people by his side who knew the ins and outs of racing.
“These were Helmut Marko, who served as Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor, and Franz Tost, who served as team principal of Toro Rosso.
“Marko was deeply involved in decision-making within the team as Mateschitz’s representative and held the authority to appoint drivers for both Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
“Mr Tost, as Toro Rosso team principal, was involved in developing young drivers, but he also played a key role in bringing about the partnership between Honda and Red Bull.”
- READ MORE: Adrian Newey was shocked by ‘turmoil’ at Aston Martin factory after accepting Lawrence Stroll offer
Unfortunately, as Asaki points out, Stroll doesn’t have such a strong line-up of motorsport experts in his corner, and believes the 66-year-old is currently making decisions based on his successful career as an entrepreneur instead.
“As Stroll lacked such a network, it is possible that he had to make all the important decisions within the team on his own. There must have been aspects he simply couldn’t see.
“I believe Aston Martin Honda’s poor form since the season opener demonstrates the limits of Stroll trying to do everything on his own. I imagine Mr Stroll is now looking for someone akin to Marko or Tost for Mr Mateschitz, but such a person may not be so easy to find.”
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