For this part of the 2021 car, Aston Martin will deploy its two tokens

Aston Martin F1 Team

General

6 February 2021 at 13:37
Last update 6 February 2021 at 14:08
  • GPblog.com

Formula One racing teams are only allowed to make a limited number of changes in 2021 compared to last year's car. Teams have two tokens that they can use to improve certain parts of the car. Aston Martin has already revealed what they will be investing in.

Because of the coronavirus crisis and its financial consequences, it was decided in 2020 to stop developing the cars. Each team gets two tokens that can be used for about 20 parts. Examples include the transmission (part of the gearbox), the front and rear suspension, the wheel housing, the hydraulic systems, the rims and the brakes.

So the teams have to make choices because they can't just improve everything. Aston Martin has chosen to improve the chassis, according to the Italian branch of Motorsport.com. The changes to the bodywork will affect the rear end and reduce aerodynamic drag. The British team is allowed to take over the rear suspension of last year's Mercedes W11 without having to use tokens, so we can assume that we will see a very stable rear end of the 2021 Aston Martin.

The different components also have different values. If a team wants to change the rims, it costs them one token. A modification to the rear of the chassis is major and costs two tokens. The chassis is divided into a front and a back. So the teams have to make their own choice here as well.