Season Debrief: Aston Martin fall off after mid-season slump

Aston Martin had everyone’s attention at the start of the season, the AMR23 debuted presenting the possibility of being the second fastest car on the grid.

 

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Fernando Alonso completed his race with Aston Martin on the final podium spot in Bahrain. Alonso replacing another former world champion, as Sebastian Vettel retires from the sport leaving the seat open for 2023. His teammate Lance Stroll, on his third season with the team, was praised for his solid performance in the race, which saw him finish P6. Stroll retuning in Bahrain after missing testing the previous week after breaking his wrist and a toe in a biking incident.

 

Over the first half of the season, Alonso continued to shine, putting Stroll in his shadow as he took second consecutive podium in Saudi Arabia. Alonso would go on to take another 4 podiums in the first 8 races of the season in: Australia, Miami, Monaco, and Canada.

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Following the Canadian Grand Prix, Aston Martin began their mid-season slump, meanwhile, McLaren brought their new upgrades which saw them make a mid-season comeback, later battling with Aston Martin for fourth in the constructors, Aston Martin would eventually concede the place to McLaren. McLaren and Aston Martin having the opposite luck to one another, the outcome clear in the final constructor’s position.

 

Coming back from the summer break Aston Martin would only take 2 more podiums this season compared to the 6 in the first half. Alonso securing two more podium finishes at the first race after the summer break in the Netherlands and another one in Brazil.

 

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While Aston Martin failed to recover from their mid-season slump, the Silverstone based team made an up of two places from their 2022 finish in the constructor’s championship, finishing the 2023 campaign in P5. Aston Martin also made an up of 8 podiums from 0 podiums in 2022.

 

Ultimately pleased with the progress made in 2023, Team Principal Mike Krack commented on the season, stating “There have been a lot of high points, a couple of lows too, but mostly highs and we should not forget what we have achieved; where we are now, compared to where we were. It has been a significant step in our journey but there is still a lot to be done.”