Fernando Alonso has cooled suggestions that Aston Martin could be on course to be fighting at the head of the pack at the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
At pre-season testing in Bahrain, many heads were turned toward Aston Martin and the AMR23 which impressed during the three days.
The car is more than 90 per cent new compared to its 2022 predecessor, according to the team, and is predicted by some to be the clear leader of the traditional midfield parties.
However, others have suggested that it could be in the mix with the likes of Mercedes, who is continuing to recover from a troubled start to the sport’s new era under fresh technical regulations last year.
But Alonso, who has joined the team in place of the retired Sebastian Vettel, says that it is impossible for Aston Martin to make such a large step in one winter break.
“We will give our best in the race,” he said. “That [a podium finish] is not the target for us, to be honest.
“I think we need to keep learning about the car, only one day and a half or two days of testing on a completely new car, new package.
“And I think the top three teams, they were in another league last year; they were lapping sometimes even the fourth [fastest] team.
“And basically, you know, only seven cars finish on the same lap. So, we cannot make that kind of step only in one winter. I think we are very happy with the car.
“But I think we have to have the feet in the ground and keep working on this good baseline.”
Despite Alonso’s reservations, Aston Martin’s strong potential was outlined by rival drivers.
“I think they will be in the mix,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. “They will definitely fight at the top at least, I think.
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen added: “They looked very positive. In general, if you look at the team, they have a real desire, of course of getting to the front.
“They’ve hired I think quite a lot of good people. So it will be interesting to see where they will be but also not only now, it’s in the coming races and years, but I think they had a very positive start.”
Bahrain’s season-opener will be followed by outings in Saudi Arabia and Australia, and it is only after those races that Alonso says there will be a true understanding of the pecking order.
“You never know what the others are doing, so basically you concentrate on your programme,” he said.
“And let’s see after this race, basically after Jeddah or Australia, I think very different circuits, where I think you will see more where everybody is.
“But yeah, I think we aimed to make a step forward compared to last year. Obviously, Aston Martin went through some difficulties with the car and some things that they discovered throughout 2022, so I think this year we have a better baseline, and we are happy so far.”
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