Aston Martin: 'Then we would be in front of Red Bull, that's not going to happen'
General
- GPblog.com
The 2023 Aston Martin was a very different Aston Martin than we saw in 2022, especially during the first half of the season. The British team made a giant leap with the new car, which raises the next question: what can we expect from the 2024 team next year?
Another big step forward?
Aston Martin finished seventh in the 2022 constructors' championship with 55 points. But suddenly, a few months later, there were six podium finishes from Fernando Alonso in the first eight GP weekends. Is such a big jump possible again next winter?
"I think it's helped when you weren't as strong last season to make such a big jump. If we were to make the same jump now, we'd be well ahead of Red Bull, which is not going to happen," Tom McCullough said in conversation with GPblog and others.
"So in fairness, we were developing the car last year [2022]. By the end of the year, we were actually a lot closer to the fourth fastest team. Yes, we're closer to the front, but the jump wasn't as big. It is if you look at the start of 2022, but not at the end of 2022."
Small differences in 2024
The rules will remain stable next year as well, and at Aston Martin they think the field will creep even closer together as a result. "If you look at the fact there were eight teams in the top ten [in Abu Dhabi] and how close qualifying was, that's phenomenal, isn't it, really? It just shows you that with stable regulations, there's always an element of convergence. Some teams have developed really well this year, but I think they'll be the first to admit they started badly as well," he added.
Aston Martin's performance director has high hopes for 2024. "I think next year will be fantastic for the sport. Trackside execution is going to be important. The margins won't be enormous."