Several teams have brought advanced upgrades to the American GP, with a combination of short and long-term impact. Despite the 2023 season in its advanced stages, the changes being implemented this weekend are important.
The most significant updates are for Haas and AlphaTauri, with the US team introducing its first (and probably last) package of the season. In an effort to find performance, Guenther Steiner’s team is switching concepts with the VF-23 – following in the Red Bull direction and concept.
AlphaTauri has introduced several updates as well, and will continue to bring new parts for the rest of 2023. The Italian outfit is also following Red Bull’s philosophy, although they are benefiting from increased collaboration – a process that will accelerate for next season.
Further up the field, Mercedes and Aston Martin have crucial changes. With the 2024 season not far away, these updates are foundational to their development for the foreseeable future. This is especially true for Aston, whose mid-season efforts have taken the AMR23 in the wrong direction.
If Dan Fallows and his technical team have understood their mistakes, the next few weekends will prove it. Ultimately, the sprint weekend format will limit the amount of testing that teams can carry out in free practice.
Teams must show a strong foundational understanding to extract strong performance – presenting an extra challenge at the circuit of the Americas.
Here is the full upgrade list for the American GP:
Mercedes (2)
- Floor body – performance
- Floor edge – performance
Alfa Romeo (1)
- Floor edge – performance
Aston Martin (4)
- Floor edge – performance
- Diffuser – performance
- Engine cover – performance
- Beam wing – performance
Haas (6)
- Front corner – performance
- Floor body – performance
- Floor edge – performance
- Sidepod inlet – performance
- Engine cover – performance
- Cooling louvres – circuit-specific
AlphaTauri (6)
- Floor body – performance
- Floor fences – performance
- Floor edge – performance
- Engine cover – performance
- Rear corner – performance
- Other, chassis – performance
Although small updates can still be expected, these changes are among the last big packages of 2023. They have the potential to tip the balance in the increasingly intense battles for 2nd, 4th and 7th in the standings.
