Alexandre
The battle between Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin F1 takes an unexpected turn, and British team owner Lawrence Stroll is visibly angry. The problems are not confined to the track, where Aston Martin has already encountered difficulties during the Bahrain tests, but also extend to the legal arena and human resources management.
The first few weeks of the season highlighted Aston Martin's internal problems. The Formula 1 didn't drive as much as hoped during the Bahrain test sessions, and Fernando Alonso is not hiding his concerns about the 2026 project. "If we're fighting for the world championship in 2025, that's another story. But if that doesn't happen, it doesn't make much difference to be in an unstable situation. If it costs you for 2026, it will be very painful," he explained, clearly concerned about the direction the team is taking.
Team ambassador Pedro de la Rosa remains more measured, but his words also reflect a certain realism. "I prefer to be realistic and I think we're going to have to work hard to improve," he told Marca, while acknowledging that progress is needed for the immediate future.
Legal battle between Ferrari and Aston Martin
Tensions between the two teams have intensified with a legal dispute preventing Aston Martin from strengthening its technical team. Enrico Cardile, former Ferrari technical director, was due to join Aston Martin to oversee the architecture and design of the 2026 car. However, Ferrari delayed his arrival, citing a "gardening leave" he took after leaving Maranello.
On March 3, the planned start of Cardile at Aston Martin was postponed following a decision by the Modena court. According to the newspaper Corriere dello SportFerrari obtained an injunction preventing Cardile from joining Aston Martin before July 17. The court ruled that Cardile had violated the non-compete agreement signed with Ferrari, angering Aston Martin and its owner, Lawrence Stroll.
"Owner Lawrence Stroll is furious. Aston Martin had reorganized its technical department so that Cardile would take charge of the car's architecture and design, but at a crucial moment this key figure is blocked," says Corriere dello Sport. The situation is made all the more tense by Cardile's alleged failure to honour his notice of departure, a breach which Ferrari seems determined to pursue through the courts.
Despite this complex legal situation, Aston Martin is trying to remain positive. Adrian Newey finally started working with the team on Monday. His arrival, albeit late, is seen as an asset to the 2026 project, particularly in view of the development of the new car. The tension between Ferrari and Aston Martin is unlikely to be confined to the legal arena. On the track, the consequences of this situation could affect the Aston Martin team's performance. Ferrari, for its part, is looking to capitalize on this situation to hinder its rival in the long term.