Aston Martin is setting "low" expectations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, with the team already looking ahead to the major regulatory changes in 2026.
That's according to the team's new simulator driver, Dani Juncadella, who explained on the L'Angle Del Miramar podcast that Aston Martin's primary focus will be on gathering data for its long-term project.
The team finished fifth in the constructors' championship in 2024 but struggled with in-season development for both its 2023 and 2024 cars.
Adrian Newey is set to begin work at Aston Martin's heavily upgraded Silverstone facility in just over two weeks, but his primary focus will be on the team's 2026 car rather than next season's challenger.
When asked about his expectations for 2025, Juncadella was candid. "They are low," he admitted.
"It's not like we will throw a year away, because it's important that it's a competitive year. But it's also a year to gather all of the information possible for next year, where the expectations are very high," the 33-year-old Spaniard added.
Despite Aston Martin's subdued outlook for 2025, Juncadella believes the competition will be fierce across the grid.
"Everyone is already very close and I hope that this is the trend," he said. "Because when the drivers are close, Fernando (Alonso) can make the difference.
"So I am confident that we could also have some surprises."
