Week ending 25 January 2026

Editor’s Introduction – Dan, Fuel the Passion

This week feels like a moment of transition for Aston Martin, not in a dramatic, headline-grabbing sense, but in the quieter, more meaningful way that long-term direction often reveals itself. Across Formula 1, endurance racing, road cars, brand experiences and even the balance sheet, the picture that’s emerging is one of refocus, recalibration and intent.

There’s optimism, certainly, but also realism. The end of Aston Martin’s FIA Safety Car era, the formal start of the Honda works partnership, Adrian Newey’s methodical influence beginning to show, and Valkyrie stepping onto one of motorsport’s greatest stages all point toward a company carefully choosing where it wants to compete, and how.

As ever, this roundup isn’t about hype. It’s about context, timing, and protecting the record.

Formula 1: Aston Martin & Honda Begin a New Era

Image: Honda Racing Corporation (editorial use)

Aston Martin formally marked the beginning of its works partnership with Honda this week at a launch event in Tokyo, confirming what has long been positioned as the cornerstone of the team’s 2026 ambitions.

Left Image: Honda Racing Corporation (editorial use)

From this season, Honda will supply power units to the **Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team**, ending the Mercedes customer era and resetting the team’s technical identity ahead of Formula 1’s most significant regulatory overhaul in decades.

Lawrence Stroll described the partnership as having “all the elements required to fight for victory”, pointing to close collaboration between the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone and Honda Racing Corporation in Sakura. Honda, for its part, confirmed that the RA626H power unit has been developed specifically for the new 2026 regulations, which introduce simplified hybrid systems, fully sustainable fuels and active aerodynamics.

This wasn’t just symbolism. Alongside Stroll and Honda President Toshihiro Mibe were Adrian Newey, Andy Cowell and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, a clear signal that Aston Martin’s F1 future is now being shaped by structure and engineering depth rather than short-term visibility. I don’t know about you, but I am really looking forward to the start of the Formula 1 season, and to see where Aston Martin sits amongst its competitors.

FTP STORY: The End of Aston Martin’s FIA Safety Car Era

FTP Picture: 2021 FIA Aston Martin Safety Car, JCT600 Aston Martin Leeds

Running quietly alongside the Honda announcement is the confirmation that Aston Martin will no longer supply FIA Safety and Medical Cars to Formula 1 from 2026. After five seasons sharing duties with Mercedes-AMG, the programme has come to an end, closing a very public chapter in Aston Martin’s modern F1 involvement.

This moment is explored in more detail in this week’s FTP Featured Article, published this week, which looks at why the Safety Car era mattered, what it achieved, and why its conclusion aligns with Aston Martin’s broader strategic refocus. While the programme delivered global exposure, it also came with scrutiny, and, at times, controversy, particularly around perceived pace during the 2022 season.

FTP Picture; FIA Aston Martin Safety Car at Salon Prive, Bleinheim Palace, 2025

Seen in context, this feels less like withdrawal and more like concentration. With Honda now in place as a works partner and resources being directed toward becoming a genuine championship contender under the 2026 regulations, Aston Martin appears to be choosing depth over display. That’s certainly how I prefer to view it, I will definitely miss the sight and sound of those Podium Green machines roaring around Formula 1 circuits each weekend!

Technical Focus: Inside the AMR26 Development Philosophy

Beneath the headlines, attention has turned to the detailed engineering decisions shaping Aston Martin’s 2026 car, the AMR26.

Reports this week suggest Adrian Newey delayed final sign-off on the car’s suspension architecture until very late in the design process, a decision that reflects both the complexity of the new regulations and Newey’s well-documented methodology.
With several rival teams already revealing pushrod-based suspension layouts for 2026, Aston Martin’s approach appears more deliberately cautious. Newey’s suspension expertise is proven, having personally designed the front and rear systems on Red Bull’s RB18, a car that avoided many of the porpoising issues that defined the early ground-effect era.
Left Image: FTP created image

The wider context matters. Newey has previously been open about weaknesses in Aston Martin’s simulation tools, and the team has responded by strengthening its technical infrastructure, including new hires focused on simulation and vehicle modelling. This is not about chasing early headlines, but about building a platform that correlates, learns and evolves, even if that patience proves uncomfortable in the short term.

Endurance Racing: Valkyrie Takes on Daytona

Aston Martin’s commitment to endurance racing takes centre stage this weekend as the Aston Martin Valkyrie makes its debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking the brand’s first top-class challenge at the event in more than 40 years.

Run by the Aston Martin THOR Team, Valkyrie enters its second season of international competition following an encouraging 2025 campaign that included a second-place overall finish at Petit Le Mans. Uniquely, Valkyrie remains the only road-derived hypercar competing in both IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Right image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

Aston Martin’s Daytona presence is reinforced by a strong three-car **Aston Martin Vantage GT3** entry in GTD competition, underlining the breadth and seriousness of the brand’s endurance effort as the 2026 season begins.

Le Mans 2026: House of Aston Martin Announced

Looking ahead, Aston Martin has confirmed details of its official presence at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2026. Central to this will be the House of Aston Martin hospitality experience, offering guests prime circuit views, behind-the-scenes access, driver Q&A sessions and curated brand activations across the race weekend.

To find out more details about these experiences CLICK HERE.

Left image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

On track, Valkyrie will lead Aston Martin’s Hypercar challenge, supported by the Vantage in GT competition, reinforcing Le Mans as a cornerstone of the marque’s modern motorsport identity.

Road Cars: DB12 S – The DB Line Revisited

Right image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

While the Aston Martin DB12 S was first unveiled in late 2025, renewed road-test and technical coverage published this week including detailed analysis carried by Yahoo Autos, has helped sharpen the picture of where the car truly sits within the modern DB lineage. With journalists now able to assess the DB12 S beyond launch headlines, the emphasis has shifted from specification to substance.

Positioned as the most focused expression of the DB formula to date, the DB12 S builds on the standard car with revised suspension tuning, standard carbon-ceramic brakes and a 700bhp evolution of the AMG-sourced V8. Recent evaluations highlight that the intent here is not outright reinvention, but refinement, prioritising response, cohesion and driver confidence without sacrificing grand touring comfort.

Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

In that sense, the latest road-test impressions reinforce Aston Martin’s positioning of the DB12 S as a flagship GT defined less by headline numbers and more by how convincingly its components work together on the road.

From a personal perspective, having already seen the DBX S and Vantage S in the metal, I’m genuinely excited by what the DB12 S appears to bring to the table. I’ve yet to see one in person, but based on the photography and recent coverage, it looks like another real stunner.

Left image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

I’m particularly drawn to the stacked rear exhausts, which are quickly becoming a signature detail of Aston Martin’s modern ‘S’ models, they look absolutely epic and give the car a sense of purpose that perfectly matches its more focused intent.

Brand & Experiences: Aston Martin Experiences 2026

Aston Martin has revealed a significantly expanded Aston Martin Experiences programme for 2026, offering what is arguably the most comprehensive and immersive calendar of lifestyle, driving and motorsport-led events the brand has ever assembled. Designed to blend performance, luxury and cultural discovery, the programme spans everything from invitation-only ultra-luxury journeys to more accessible regional driving and track experiences.

At the pinnacle sit the ASCEND and UNLEASHED programmes. ASCEND represents Aston Martin’s most exclusive lifestyle offering, limited to just 12 couples per journey, with each 4–5 night experience combining exceptional driving routes, world-class accommodation and privileged access to events that are otherwise out of reach. Highlights for 2026 include a fully hosted 24 Hours of Le Mans experience with behind-the-scenes access to the Aston Martin THOR team, a Casino Royale 20th anniversary James Bond journey in Italy, and an ultra-luxury Formula 1 experience centred around the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

For those seeking pure performance, UNLEASHED delivers Aston Martin’s ultimate track-focused experience, reserved for owners of limited-edition, track-oriented models. Participants will explore iconic circuits such as Paul Ricard, the Red Bull Ring and Monza, supported by championship-winning instructors, full technical back-up and even motorsport physiotherapy, with five-star accommodation and curated dining ensuring the experience extends well beyond the pit lane.

Left Image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

Broadening the appeal further are the **Supertours** and **Supercharged** programmes, which bring the Aston Martin experience closer to home while retaining the brand’s signature blend of luxury and driving engagement.
From road journeys through Marrakesh and China’s most dramatic landscapes, to immersive weekends at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, these events are designed to welcome a wider community of owners and enthusiasts.
On the track side, Supercharged experiences include driving days at **Millbrook Proving Ground**, **Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit**, and other regional venues worldwide.

From a personal standpoint, I have to say these experiences sound absolutely incredible. They’re not just about driving fast cars in beautiful places, they’re about immersion, access, and shared moments that money alone usually can’t buy. Whether it’s watching Valkyrie compete at Le Mans from Aston Martin’s own hospitality, threading an Aston through Italian roads in true Bond style, or pushing the limits on legendary circuits, this is Aston Martin leaning fully into what it does best: creating unforgettable, emotionally rich experiences around the car. If you want to find out more information, CLICK HERE.

**AML Share Price Watch**

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC shares closed on Friday, 23 January 2026, at **61.80p**, marking a decline of around **2.45%** from the previous session’s close of 63.35p.
While the drop is notable on the day, it sits within a broader pattern of short-term fluctuation that has characterised AML trading over the past five weeks. Since mid-December, the share price has largely remained confined to a relatively narrow band between **60p and 65p**, reflecting consolidation rather than momentum.

A brief push higher in early January saw shares approach the mid-64p range, before easing back again last week and slipping lower into Friday’s close. At its current level, AML trades toward the lower end of its 52-week range of 56.00p to 122.00p, underlining a market that remains cautious and watchful.

As ever, this snapshot is included for context only, offering readers a simple reference point alongside the wider operational, motorsport and brand stories shaping Aston Martin week by week.

FTP Update: FIA Safety Cars at Aston Martin Leeds

Earlier this week, a new Fuel the Passion video went live documenting my visit to Aston Martin Leeds (JCT600), where I was invited to film two genuine FIA Safety Cars.

Left: Me, Dan, sitting in the drivers seat of the 2021 FIA Safety Car, Aston Martin Vantage at JCT600 Aston Martin, Leeds

One of those cars carries extraordinary provenance: it is the **actual Aston Martin Safety Car that led the Formula 1 field on the final lap of the final race of the 2021 World Championship,** the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton lost the title.
I was able to sit in the driver’s seat of that car, explore its detail, and capture it at a very specific moment in its life.

That Safety Car is now being offered for sale. If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Aston Martin Leeds directly:

Website: www.jct600.co.uk/aston-martin
Telephone: 0113 306 7700

The full video is available now on the Fuel the Passion YouTube channel or click the picture below to watch right here.

Closing Thoughts

This week wasn’t about dramatic swings or instant results. It was about alignment, technical, strategic and cultural and the sense that Aston Martin is steadily bringing its many moving parts into focus. From the DB12 S imagery and early road-test impressions, which suggest another genuinely stunning addition to the road-car lineup, to the careful, methodical preparation underway for the 2026 Formula 1 season, there’s a feeling of intent running through everything we’ve seen.

In motorsport, anticipation is building rather than peaking.

The Honda partnership has now formally begun, Valkyrie is taking on one of endurance racing’s greatest stages, and the influence of Adrian Newey is starting to reveal itself not through bold statements, but through measured decisions and long-term thinking. These are not headlines designed to impress in the moment, they’re foundations designed to last.
Left Image: Aston Martin Lagonda (editorial use)

Away from the circuits, the newly announced Aston Martin Experiences programme offers a reminder of why this brand resonates so deeply with so many of us. Whether it’s dreaming of watching Le Mans from the House of Aston Martin, exploring Italy through the lens of James Bond, or pushing an Aston hard on a legendary circuit, these experiences capture the romance, aspiration and sense of occasion that sit at the heart of the marque. Even if they remain ambitions for the future, they’re part of what makes following Aston Martin such a rewarding journey.

Put simply, it’s been a great week in the world of Aston Martin. Not because everything is finished or proven, but because the direction of travel feels clearer, more considered, and genuinely exciting. As ever, time will tell. But for now, there’s plenty to enjoy, reflect on, and look forward to.

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