Aston Martin kicked off the previous season with remarkable momentum, as Fernando Alonso secured six podium finishes in the initial eight races, showcasing a car that performed better during races than in qualifying sessions.
However, the team encountered challenges in maintaining the development pace of its 2023 machine, which resulted in a slip to fifth place in the constructors’ standings.
As the new season unfolds, Aston Martin seems to have retained its position as the fifth-fastest team, evident from its performance in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
In the intricate world of Formula 1, Aston’s regression appears to stem from the enhanced performance of Mercedes and Ferrari, particularly in race conditions, rather than from inherent flaws within the Silverstone-based team. McLaren’s substantial improvements in the latter half of the previous season further solidified the competition.
Interestingly, this year’s AMR24 has shown prowess in qualifying sessions, often matching or even surpassing its direct rivals, only to face challenges in race trim, a reversal of the previous year’s scenario.
Fernando Alonso noted this trend, stating, “In Bahrain, we were definitely faster over one lap, but comparing the long-run pace, there is a trend this year that we are struggling on the long runs, on the race pace.”
While Alonso provided valuable insight following the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lance Stroll’s retirement didn’t contribute additional data. Alonso’s performance in Jeddah showed improvement compared to Bahrain, finishing fifth, albeit closely behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Tom McCullough, Aston’s performance director, acknowledged the shift in balance between qualifying and race pace, attributing it partly to the aerodynamic differences in the new car.
McCullough explained the team’s strategic approach, emphasizing their focus on improving long-run competitiveness while not overly concerning themselves with qualifying positions.
Enhancing the efficiency of the drag reduction system (DRS) has played a significant role in Aston’s improved qualifying performance. McCullough highlighted the team’s efforts in this regard, particularly in response to Red Bull’s strong performance with their DRS system.
Alonso’s promising race results validated Aston’s race-oriented setup choices, despite the strategic limitations posed by track position.
Looking ahead, the true challenge for Aston Martin lies in sustaining their on-track performance and off-track development pace. McCullough expressed confidence in the team’s ability to continue development effectively, emphasizing the importance of promptly implementing new developments to remain competitive.
As Aston Martin navigates the dynamic landscape of Formula 1, their focus remains on gradual improvement and closing the gap to the front of the grid.
