ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Lance Stroll of Aston Martin competes in the qualifying session for F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Zarandah | Anadolu via Getty Images)
Aston Martin concluded the 2023 season with a remarkable fifth place in the Constructors’ Standings, two positions ahead of the previous season.
The Silverstone-based team had a solid start to the 2023 season. During the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening race of the season, Fernando Alonso managed to bag a third-place finish, securing a spot on the podium.
At the same time, however, the AMR23 was not without flaws. Alonso claimed that the car was ‘too slow’ on straights and that it was too difficult to maneuver in narrow windows. However, Team Principal Mike Krack said that there was no disappointment in their 2023 campaign. “No, there is no disappointment of that because you need to be realistic about where you are,” said Krack. “We started the year in a very good position but we also need to analyze why have we been in that position.”
On a positive note, along with the execution of team strategies and tyre degradation being the team’s strength, Aston Martin managed to combine eight podiums and garnered 280 points throughout the 2023 season. This was the Silverstone-based team’s finest season in Formula 1.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin holds a press conference after competing in the qualifying session for F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Zarandah | Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fernando Alonso (4th in standings with 206 points)
Alonso definitely had his highs and lows throughout the season, but he managed to finish with a magnificent fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, following Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Lewis Hamilton.
Securing six podiums out of the first eight races established a strong start for the two-time World Champion. At the Monaco Grand Prix, the Spaniard believed that Aston Martin initially had a shot at winning. “We had opportunities here and there. And I believe that we deserved it more than anyone else this year,” Alonso told the Formula 1 media.
Alonso’s run during the Monaco Grand Prix, however, was one marred by errors. Even with the rain pouring down, the team was confident that the wet weather would come to a quick halt. On his first pitstop, Alonso resumed racing on slicks. Unfortunately, the rain intensified, forcing the Spanish driver to switch to intermediates.
Alonso managed to claim back-to-back podiums for third place from Bahrain to Australia, and his consistency for podiums resumed until the Canadian, Monaco, and Dutch Grands Prix – where he landed a sweet second place.
The Spanish driver labeled the 2023 season as the best season of his entire career alongside his 2012 campaign. Alonso’s contract expires at the conclusion of the 2024 season and his performance has led Aston Martin to show an interest in extending it.
Lance Stroll of Aston Martin Aramco during qualifying ahead of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy on September 2, 2023. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki | NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lance Stroll (10th in standings with 74 points)
Stroll started the 2023 season with a bit of a drawback after a cycling accident resulted in a broken wrist. Although he considered his healing process slow, Stroll said that he got better each day and was sure that he could race in Bahrain.
“My medical team ensured we were doing anything and everything that showed some evidence for bone healing. It became my full time job, trying to combine everything that could help, even if it was by 0.5%,” he said.
When the AMR23 was still in its prime, Stroll finished fourth in the Australian Grand Prix, his best finish of the season. He scored 74 points for Aston Martin, helping the team move up two places compared to the 2022 season.
As Stroll failed to finish four times, he definitely went through a whirlwind of a year. Apart from the engine problem in Saudi Arabia and sustaining damage from hitting debris in Monaco, Stroll also had to endure missing a pitstop in Zandvoort.
Finishing fifth in both the Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix near the end of the season definitely proved Stroll’s commitment as a Formula 1 driver. He had a rough start to the season, from having pre-season injuries to track mishaps, but his impressive dedication to get back on the track in his finest form should be noted.
Looking ahead for 2024
Aston Martin was a strong contender at the start of the season, but fast forward through the year, their reign did not last long. Throughout the 2023 season, the Silverstone team proved that they had what it took to break free from being a midfield team to consistently starting on the front row.
Aston Martin’s performance director, Tom McCullough, told Motorsport.com that the team’s target is to have a competitive car without undergoing significant changes. “We’re trying to put a car together that you can take to all the tracks and just change the rear wing level, front wing level, and bang, be strong.” McCullough said.
The car’s consistency was evident through the first few races of the season. Becoming a stronger competitor for the 2024 season will require even more stability.
Aston Martin is the fourth team to announce their battle vehicle debut, revealing the new AMR24, which will be presented on February 12.
