Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle has called on Aston Martin to make imminent improvements after it slipped behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship following the Spanish Grand Prix.
Since the opening round of the campaign, Aston Martin has been perched in second place in the standings.
The Silverstone-based squad has enjoyed a dream start to the 2023 campaign, having been competing in the midfield pack over the last several years.
However, after the most recent outing in Barcelona where Mercedes scored a double podium while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso crossed the line in sixth and seventh respectively, in what was its most uncompetitive event yet in 2023.
Mercedes brought upgrades to Monaco, but their potential was further realised around Barcelona.
“[George] Russell drove a fine race to take the final step on the podium,” Brundle wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
“[Lewis] Hamilton, who is driving with an especially feisty and happy demeanour lately, was a further eight seconds up the road for a solid second place and double Mercedes podium.
“Before we get too excited, they were 24 and 32 seconds, respectively, behind a cruising [Max] Verstappen but at least it’s some hope that the Mercedes sidepod upgrade did some good, although we can’t say that about Ferrari’s similar upgrade yet.”
But Aston Martin is set to bring upgrades to Canada in just under two weeks’ time as it looks to reclaim the second-place spot from Mercedes.
“Furthermore, after a tremendous start to the season, Aston Martin need their imminent update to work too, as they fall behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ championship,” Brundle added.
“The massive Spanish crowd, who had to endure poor traffic management outside the circuit, needed to be content with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari in fifth place, 45 seconds behind the winner, and Fernando Alonso in seventh, behind his Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll.
“I did enjoy Fernando waving to the crowd while power-sliding his car around on the final tour.”
