Aston Martin's performance dip: Unpacking the Canada upgrade and future prospects
- Rob Fleming
- 12 December 2023
Aston Martin have shrugged off the notion that their Canada floor upgrade negatively impacted their performance in the 2023 Formula 1 season, despite a slip in standings after its introduction.
The AMR23 witnessed a substantial upgrade in Montreal, contributing to Fernando Alonso's second-place finish. However, challenges arose with limited on-track running during Free Practice 1, hampering the team's progress. A subsequent package in the Netherlands failed to recapture their early-season success, leading to a fifth-place finish in the final standings.
Performance director Tom McCullough defended the decisions made regarding the upgrades, emphasizing the divergence between the car's real-world performance and wind-tunnel simulations. McCullough acknowledged some hindsight adjustments but highlighted the disparity between the media narrative and the actual impact of the upgrades.
"The actual car lives in a very different world to the wind-tunnel and CFD," McCullough explained, revealing the team's commitment to continuous development while acknowledging the inherent trade-offs involved. He expressed confidence in the team's understanding of different tracks and their ability to optimize the car's configuration accordingly.
"While we slipped in the standings, the narrative became more significant than the reality. We have the knowledge and understanding of all components, allowing us to tailor our approach for each track. The testing insights we've gained are pivotal in shaping the development of next year's car," McCullough affirmed.
As the 2023 F1 season concludes, teams and drivers enter a well-deserved break, gearing up for the 2024 season that kicks off with official pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir from February 23 to 25.
Aston Martin navigated challenges following the Canada floor upgrade but remain optimistic, armed with valuable insight for the development of their 2024 contender.
