Cowell: Almost all the time is devoted to the 2026 car.

      In an interview, Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell summed up the European part of the season, spoke about preparations for 2026 and the tasks facing the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

      Question: How do you assess the team's results in the recently concluded European part of the season? Andy Cowell: The results we achieved after bringing in upgrades at the Imola round were mostly positive. After that we further developed the car, introducing several new elements, such as the front wing.

      The whole team has taken a meticulous approach to developing and introducing the upgrades, and then to maximising the car's performance. It's pleasing to see the engineers working together at the factory and at the track — there is well-coordinated collaboration between the different departments.

      Of course, we'd like to put more effort into the AMR25, but at the moment we are devoting almost all our time to the 2026 car. Given that minimal resources are being allocated to work on the AMR25, it's pleasing to see department heads making efforts to determine the best development direction and to optimise.

      Naturally, we are focused on the areas where things are not going so well. Despite a promising pace in Monza, the final result was disappointing, but we'll analyse everything and emerge stronger. There's little that's pleasant about problems, but they provide an opportunity to learn, and the team is ready to take advantage of that.

      Question: What can you tell us about work on the 2026 car? Andy Cowell: As part of preparations for next season we are working very closely with our technical partners from Aramco, Honda and Valvoline. Adrian Newey has significantly improved the team's approach to the work — our staff enjoy what they do and smile when they see the results.

      We are focused on the day-to-day work to make the AMR26 as fast as possible. At the same time, work continues on optimising advanced tools and training staff so they can make the most effective use of these new tools and the engineering methods we employ.

      Question: What can you say about Enrico Cardile's first days in the role of technical director? Andy Cowell: Enrico is a wonderful person, with extensive Formula 1 experience both in terms of organisational methods and technical understanding. He hasn't been with us long, but the team is already feeling his experience thanks to his contributions to the work. I look forward to further developing our collaboration as he fully integrates into the team and gets to know everyone.

      Personally, it's a pleasure to work with people like Adrian, Enrico and all the other fantastic minds in the team, who together are striving to bring Aston Martin to the front.

      Question: What challenges await the team at the upcoming round in Baku? Andy Cowell: Baku is a unique circuit, so we are looking forward to the upcoming round. The first sector, with its 90-degree turns, reminds me of a 1980s computer game, the second sector runs through the historic part of the city and is incredibly narrow, and the third sector consists of the longest straight in Formula 1, where cars are often side by side right up to the first corner.

      Despite good overtaking opportunities into the first corner, Baku is still a street circuit, so a strong performance in Saturday's qualifying is crucial.

      Lately we've been strong in qualifying, but past results don't guarantee future success. We've optimised our operation well, using the tyres and strategy smartly, and now aim to carry that on this weekend.

      The final third of the season is ahead, and we want to fight for points in each of the remaining eight races. But that is only possible by making the right decisions and if we squeeze everything out of the car down to the last tenth.