Two seats up for grabs in 2028? Montoya’s surprising Aston Martin prediction

The Aston Martin team has had a difficult first half of the season. Although team owner Lawrence Stroll has spared no expense or effort to make his team more competitive, the Silverstone-based outfit is going through a serious slump in form. It was already clear during the pre-season test sessions that the Greens would not be celebrating any major successes this year.

At least things are moving in the right direction: a comprehensive upgrade package for the AMR26, put together by the clever minds at Aston Martin for the recent race weekend in Hungary, proved to be a significant improvement. Although Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll didn’t manage to score any points, clear progress was evident. The team owner’s son finished the race in 13th place, whilst the two-time world champion crossed the line in 14th, just behind the Canadian.

Is Lance Stroll losing his patience too?

The next step forward is set to come at Zandvoort, as engine partner Honda is also stepping up its game – something that is urgently needed. The Japanese are pinning high hopes on the adjustments to the power unit. And if Juan Pablo Montoya is to be believed, the team must also step up its game to avoid having to fill two seats in the medium term.

After all, it’s no secret that Alonso, who celebrated his 45th birthday on 29 July, won’t be carrying on forever. And Montoya believes that Stroll will also lose patience if things don’t improve. The Colombian told ‘F1 Maximaal’: “Stroll will leave the team if the car isn’t improved. If the GP car isn’t more competitive next year, then the team will have two vacant seats for 2028.”

The seven-time Grand Prix winner does not believe that Stroll, as the son of the team owner, is guaranteed to stay on board. “Sooner or later, the Aston Martin team will be racing without Lance Stroll. Perhaps next year, perhaps the year after,” the 50-year-old Grand Prix veteran is certain.

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