Aston Martin earned a crucial podium post-summer break in Zandvoort, introducing an important upgrade package to the AMR23. Significant changes were brought to undo the mistakes from the now-infamous Canada package, and they seemed to work.
Unfortunately for the British outfit, an inability to perform at high-speed circuits still remains. Ferrari were always expected to be faster in Monza with the SF-23’s efficiency, but Aston will still be disappointed with their points haul.
Even McLaren, renowned for a lack of straight-line performance, managed to outscore the Silverstone-based outfit.
Singapore should be a return to (relative) normality for Mike Krack’s personnel.
Zandvoort seemed to demonstrate that the AMR23 rediscovered its early-season form. However, more race weekends are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Post-race, Alonso admitted to the difficulties he encountered:
“It was a very difficult race today, and it was one of the most physically challenging of the year.
“We will take many lessons from this weekend and look to be better next time.
“I had some hope we might be able to catch Lewis [Hamilton] when he had the penalty, but as soon as he passed Alex [Albon], I knew it would be difficult.
“Ferrari has unfortunately jumped us in the Constructors’ Championship after this result, so we need to bounce back at the next race.
“There are still a lot of races and points left in the Championship.”
Lance Stroll has only managed three points in the last five rounds, evidence of the British outfit’s decline in the European swing.
Falling to fourth in the team standings is a negative, though not completely unexpected, development for Aston Martin at round fourteen.
The debate over their driver line-up will continue for the foreseeable future. With that said, whoever drives the AMR23 won’t be of importance if Dan Fallows and his technical team cannot optimise their package.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
