Car
All the details on the new Aston Martin Formula 1 upgrade package introduced at Imola
by Rosario Giuliana
6min read
The 2025 Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix marked a turning point for Aston Martin as it brought numerous upgrades to try and halt its difficult start to the 2025 F1 season.
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After scoring just 12 points in the first seven rounds of 2025, the British team introduced an ambitious package of updates that affected three key areas of the single-seater: a completely redesigned bottom, a new diffuser and an updated body, marking a real evolution of the AMR25 F1 car.
A completely new floor
The most significant innovation on the AMR25 is the new, completely redesigned car bottom.
In a generation of cars where the ground effect is dominant, the underbody is the crucial element in generating efficient downforce. The engineers at Silverstone have revised the entire geometry of the Venturi channels and side edges, working on micro-curves and more sculpted profiles that improve airflow management under the body.
Updates to the bottom have mainly concerned the Venturi tunnel inlets, where the fences have been updated, while the floor edge wing has undergone an update in the arrangement of the metal ‘hooks’.
All of this work was done to seek greater stability in high-speed corners and better consistency in the car's behaviour.
The metal edges on the AMR25's floor were shifted and reshaped at Imola
Revised diffuser
To complement the new floor, a redesigned diffuser has also been introduced, with changes to the centre and side sections to improve the efficiency of the outflow of air.
The new design works in synergy with the car's upper surfaces and rear wing to generate a more constant load, especially in the corner-to-stretch transition phases.
This update is designed to maximise grip without penalising top speed, a crucial compromise on a complete track like Imola.
Aston Martin introduced a double beamwing at Imola (below) compared to the single unit sported at Miami (above)
New bodywork and optimised thermal management
The third key element of the package concerns the bodywork, which now has a more aggressive and streamlined shape.
The sidepods have been sculpted with a more pronounced undercut, and the layout of the air intakes has been revised to optimise the cooling of the Mercedes power unit.
The approach partly recalls some solutions already seen on the Red Bull, particularly in the management of side flows and the way air is channelled towards the rear. The aim is twofold: to improve aerodynamic efficiency and better manage internal temperatures, also in anticipation of the summer races.
Lance Stroll’s AMR25 had subtly reshaped bodywork at Imola, as shown in the above comparison
First signs in practice
Aston Martin took a cautious but effective approach to introducing the new package.
On Friday, it was Lance Stroll who was the first to take the technical innovations to the track, carrying out important data collection and correlation work with the windtunnel and simulator.
Another view showing the tweaked sidepod shape and floor edge of the AMR25 at Imola
Renewed qualifying pace
The benefits of the new package were immediately felt on track. In qualifying, both AMR25 cars managed to get into Q3, consolidating their presence in the top 10 and showing a clear step forward compared to the performances of the last few races.
The new set-up allowed the drivers to push with more confidence, especially in the driven sections of the second sector, where the increased load and mechanical stability made the difference.
This performance confirms the validity of the design choices made by the team and represents a positive sign in view of the next European races, where further evolutions could be introduced.
As well as the sidepods (purple) the bargeboards (light green) were subtly tweaked in Imola as part of a wide-ranging Aston Martin F1 update
The next chapter in Monaco
Completing an already interesting picture is the expectation for the first track appearance of Adrian Newey as the team's new technical director.
The legendary British designer, who recently left Red Bull after a successful era, will be present in the Monte Carlo paddock to start closely following the development of the car. His arrival represents a historic turning point for Aston Martin, which can now count on one of the most brilliant engineers in Formula 1 history.
With a revitalised technical base, a growing structure and a name like Newey to guide its direction, Aston Martin sends a clear message to the competition: the Silverstone team’s project looks to be hitting full stride.
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