Despite proving the surprise package to start 2023, Aston Martin knows that performance must be found in all areas to catch the dominant RB19.
The Silverstone squad surpassed expectations with its development over the winter, shocking the established front-runners with the AMR23.
Fernando Alonso has already collected four podiums this year, pushing the team to second in the standings and defying manufacturer teams Ferrari and Mercedes.
Considering Aston Martin first introduced its revised ‘b-spec’ concept for these regulations at last year’s Spanish GP, the rate of development has been substantial.
The team is yet to introduce any major updates, with team principal Mike Krack outlining that understanding the AMR23’s characteristics takes priority before expending resources on new parts.
05.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Race Day.
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Technical Director Dan Fallows has provided some insights into the team’s development plan for this year:
“We have to consider where we are in relation to Red Bull. But I think we have areas that are relatively strong,” es.motorsport.com quotes him as saying.
“We also have to optimize our car for each particular circuit, which means that sometimes there can be different aspects if there are more low-lying corners…
“But I think Red Bull, as a concept, has evolved a bit more than ours.
“At the beginning of last year, we switched to a completely different concept, so we’re still developing that.
“We think we’ve made a big step this year, but we still have a little way to go.
“And I think, honestly, I wouldn’t point to a single area as a weakness. I think what we need is to improve everything.”
This assessment is consistent with Aston Martin’s performance in the first three rounds, showing no clear weaknesses relative to its rivals.
Even the AMR23’s relatively ineffective DRS, which complicated Fernando Alonso’s race in Bahrain, is significantly improved – thanks to minor changes to the rear wing specification.
Regardless, there is a substantial gap in performance for Aston Martin to overcome if they are to catch Red Bull in the foreseeable future.
In theory, budget cap limitations and restricted wind tunnel time should improve the British squad’s chances of making an impression on the reigning Champions.
The last twelve months have already demonstrated the potential at the Silverstone factory for a rapid development trajectory.
However, having escaped the midfield, the next test is whether Aston can catch the dominant Red Bull team.
Whilst the AMR23 is by no means a copy of Red Bull, most teams on the grid have conceded that the Austrian squad’s philosophy is the best to tackle these regulations.
This will force Aston Martin to play catch-up in the upcoming months, as Red Bull works with a foundation they established earlier than the Silverstone team.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
