Aston Martin has regressed from a podium challenger at the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season, to a midfield runner in 2024.
Fernando Alonso and the Silverstone-based squad enjoyed a rejuvenated period of impressive form at the start of last year’s campaign with the Spaniard scoring six podiums in the first eight races.
However, Aston Martin struggled to develop the AMR23 and eventually fell behind the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren in the pecking order.
That trend started again in 2024, Aston emerged as the fifth fastest team, close on the tail of the teams ahead, but as Mercedes and McLaren have improved drastically, Aston Martin has stood still and is now having to look over its shoulder.
Occasional flashes of proficient one-lap pace earlier in the season, which saw Alonso regularly qualify in the top six, are no longer commonplace and dependant on the circuit, Aston Martin finds itself challenging fellow midfield teams RB, Haas and Alpine in the scrap to pick up the lower points.
“We cannot hide the fact that we are fighting today with Williams, RB and Alpine, and last year, we were looking to the top four teams – now they are out of reach, and we are just defending from the guys behind,” Alonso said following the Belgian Grand Prix (via Racing News 365).
Alonso is right, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes are out of reach.
After 14 rounds, Aston Martin sits fifth in the Constructors’ standings with Alonso and Lance Stroll combining for 73 points.
That puts the Silverstone-based squad 193 points behind fourth-placed Mercedes and just 39 ahead of sixth-placed RB.
Alonso has admitted that the 10 remaining races this year are vital for Aston Martin to ensure next year’s challenger, the AMR25, can help it return to challenging the top teams.
“I think our aim, and my personal wish, is to find the direction and to find a comfortable path into the development that we can go into winter period with some more trust of what we do and then having a more normal 2025 campaign,” he said.
“So 2024, as I said, the top four teams are a little bit out of reach, so we just need to concentrate on our own development, our own trust in the car, and get better for next year.”
Aston Martin’s progress might have stalled in 2024 and next year could see it continue in the midfield, but with a new wind tunnel and simulator coming online in time to develop the 2026 car could build toward a brighter future.
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