Aston Martin are confident they can close the gap to Red Bull in 2024, despite the current discrepancy between the AMR24 and RB20. The Silverstone-based outfit is optimistic about their development trajectory in the F1 2024 campaign.
Fernando Alonso took the Formula 1 world by storm with Aston Martin last year. Taking six podiums in the first eight races, replicating this success in 2024 was always going to be difficult.
The team’s performance in the second half last season was somewhat concerning, as the AMR23 gradually lost out to its immediate rivals.
McLaren’s progress was particularly significant. After all, the Woking-based team proved what was possible with mid-season development. By extension, they demonstrated what Aston Martin could have accomplished.
Despite this, the British outfit is cautiously optimistic. The team made a considerable step forward compared to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in its tyre management and race pace.
Their qualifying performance, meanwhile, was equally impressive across both weekends. Fernando Alonso’s deficit to Pole Position is smaller to start 2024 than it was at this stage last year.
However, there will be circuits that test more of AMR24’s tyre conservation. Additionally, McLaren and Ferrari are both confident about their incoming upgrade packages.
Aston Martin ready to hunt down Red Bull
With this in mind, Aston’s Performance Director Tom McCullough insists the team is unphased by the challenge ahead:
“I think everyone can be caught,” racingnews365 quotes him as saying.
“Fundamentally, the development we saw in McLaren’s in-season development was really impressive.
“Okay, it was from a poor baseline. But even from there, it was very impressive.
“And I think that’s been the focus through the winter…
“I’d be disappointed if we haven’t developed during the year to be closer than we are now. I feel we have that momentum at this stage.”
action, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, GP2402a, F1, GP, Saudi Arabia
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24
Considering the emphasis Mike Krack and his personnel have placed on mid-season updates, there will be heightened expectations in upcoming rounds.
Aston Martin, like most, will start introducing some of its biggest upgrades at the first European race of 2024 – Imola.
With that said, the team has already outlined the constant changes to the AMR24 can be expected.
Evidently, last year’s steady regression left a sting at the factory in Silverstone. The F1 2024 campaign is an opportunity to prove they are a legitimate top team.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
