Lawrence Stroll keeps delivering one message to new Aston Martin signing Mari Boya after joining their driver academy

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Aston Martin have officially opened their driver academy in Formula 1. Spanish talent Mari Boya has become the Silverstone outfit’s first acquisition.

The 21-year-old is currently racing in Formula 3 with Campos Racing. Boya is in his third season in the category, having collected his first win last season.

The Spaniard has now taken a step closer to Formula 1 as he becomes the first driver to join the Aston Martin driver academy. It marks another step forward for the Silverstone outfit as Lawrence Stroll looks to build the team into a title contender under the 2026 regulations.

Aston Martin have regressed since Fernando Alonso scored an impressive eight podiums in 2023. The team are struggling to score regular points in 2025, but they have the tools to be successful next season as Adrian Newey and Honda are spearheading the operation.

Newey has left ‘mouths open’ at Aston Martin with his aerodynamic designs, says Nico Rosberg. The team are in a good position to challenge in 2026, with F3 talent Boya now a part of that project.

Lawrence Stroll has ‘confidence’ in Mari Boya as he signs for Aston Martin

With Alonso, Lance Stroll and Pedro De La Rosa by his side, Boya has several experienced figures around him to guide his career and offer a great support network. The Spaniard is set to conduct simulator work, as well as TPC tests and possibly FP1 appearances in the future as Aston Martin’s academy driver.

Speaking via SoyMotor, Boya discussed how team owner Lawrence Stroll feels about his prospects. He says the boss has ‘always’ told him he has ‘confidence’ in his ability.

“Well, as I have already told you, this has not been something of the last two races, it’s something that has been going on for a while behind [the scenes].

“I guess, if anything, you would have to ask him what he will have seen [in] me. But they are people who are constantly pending to all the results, they analyse well all the races.

“And he always tells me the confidence he has in me, to be what I have to improve, the talent and that desire and ambition that not everyone has.

“I think they represent me very well and I will try to make that my strength to get to where I want to be.”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

What are Mari Boya’s current Formula 1 prospects?

Joining Aston Martin is an exciting step forward for Boya and his career. However, he does have a lot of work to do if he wants to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

The Spaniard has struggled for success in F3, having only achieved one win and two podiums since joining the category in 2023. Halfway through the 2025 campaign, Boya is 13th in the standings with 36 points.

Having an F1 team supporting him will be hugely beneficial for the 21-year-old and could be what he needs to improve his results. But he cannot afford to stay in F3 much longer if he is serious about progressing his career.

Felipe Drugovich and Jak Crawford are ahead of him in the pecking order at Aston Martin if a seat were to become available. F2 would be the next natural step for Boya, with his new backing making him an exciting driver to look out for in the next few years.