Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell has insisted that replicating McLaren’s turnaround to win a title in Formula 1 is “something we can do” with the resources at the team’s disposal.
The Silverstone-based squad began 2023 as the closest challenger to a dominant Red Bull, taking six podiums in the opening eight races through new recruit Fernando Alonso.
McLaren, meanwhile, experienced a torrid beginning to that campaign as a troubled winter resigned it to struggling to even amass points across the opening rounds.
However, a sizeable upgrade package propelled the Woking-based squad towards the front, culminating in the team pipping Aston Martin to fourth in the championship.
While McLaren built upon that late-season momentum to go on and win the Constructors’ title last term, Aston Martin’s alarming plight down the order continued.
With 22 points having separated the teams in 2023, Aston Martin ended up a seismic 572 points behind McLaren in the previous campaign, despite hanging onto fifth place.
Cowell, though, has stressed that there is no obstacle to Aston Martin emulating McLaren’s remarkable revival and believes that should be the target among the group.
“Who thinks we can’t win the championship? Anyone? Look at what McLaren did,” Cowell, now serving as Team Principal alongside his role as CEO, told BBC’s Back at Base Podcast.
“Why can’t we? If you go for the stars you’ll get the trees out of the way.”
Aston Martin prioritising people in the right places
McLaren’s success has been attributed to the decision to appoint Andrea Stella, a man with extensive technical pedigree, as team boss when Andreas Seidl departed in 2022.
Stella’s work has triggered a change across the sport as more teams have begun to entrust individuals with an engineering background to head their prized assets.
Cowell has indicated that McLaren showing the importance of senior roles being occupied by the right people has been a driving force behind Aston’s recent changes.
“Their turnaround was incredible,” he added.
“I think it’s down to engineering leadership and it’s something we can do.
“We put the right people on the most important job. Usually, when you work hard, good results come.”
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