Aston Martin is one of the most beautiful stories of modern Formula 1. Never in recent times has there been a team capable of passing in a single season from the role of sixth force to fighting with the best in the class. There is the case of Ferrari 2021, but the Scuderia from Maranello enjoyed an already consolidated structure and in any case in just one year it did not return to directly worry Mercedes and Red Bull. Aston Martin will have to confirm in the long run the good things shown so far, but more than the risk of relegation to the mid-group, the picture is that of a team with still room for growth.
The hours in the wind tunnel
The AMR23 is a 95% renewed car compared to its progenitor, but it will be able to grow further. The aerodynamic handicap mechanism in fact provides that the hours in the wind tunnels and the resources for the CFD aerodynamic simulations scale according to the position conquered in the previous constructors’ championship. A consistent advantage for Aston Martin, which finished in seventh place in 2022. For 2023, the Silverstone team thus finds itself in the hands 100% of resources for aerodynamic development. Mercedes, on the other hand, is limited to 80%, Ferrari to 75% and Red Bull even to 63% after the penalty for breaking the budget cap in 2021.
The values will be recalculated after 25 June based on the constructors’ standings at the Canadian Grand Prix. For the first half of the season though, compared to Red Bull Aston Martin can use 58% more aerodynamic resources between wind tunnel and CFD. If compared to Ferrari and Mercedes instead, the advantage is respectively 33 and 25%. Fernando Alonso promises a battle, anticipating that the AMR23 will be changed by two thirds by the end of the championship
Many aerodynamic updates in season
Aston Martin has demonstrated its great development skills on several occasions during the current season. In 2022 the team was back from seventh place in the previous world championship, enjoying the same aerodynamic resources it has in 2023. The Silverstone team was among the most dynamic in terms of development, constantly bringing updates race after race.
The biggest package was the one brought in the Spanish Grand Prix, which converted the AMR22 to the flat-bellied philosophy of Red Bull. Another important step was that of the home round of Silverstone, while in Hungary the innovative rear wing with raised endplates made its debut, which soon became a precious aid on high-load tracks. Over the course of the year, Aston Martin went from being second bottom to sixth force in the field.
Aston Martin development 2022
-Bahrain: bottom; mirrors; radiator vents; floor edge wing.
-Saudi Arabia: low downforce rear wing.
-Australia: high downforce rear wing.
-Barcelona: flat bellies and new arrangement of radiators; bottom; venturi channels inlet grid; withdrawal of the radiator vents; high-load rear wing.
-Canada: rear wing upper flap.
-Silverstone: refining the bottom and grid of Venturi channels; aerodynamic side vents; aerodynamic appendices rear brake air intakes; beam-wing.
-Hungary: high load rear wing.
-Spa: low downforce rear wing and front wing flaps.
-Monza: low downforce front and rear wing upper flaps.
-Singapore: outer edge of the bottom.
-Japan: beam-wing.
-Mexico: rear wheel unit vertical deflectors.
The new factory
Behind the scenes, Aston Martin is also moving to catch up with the tools and infrastructures available to Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. For the month of May the team will be able to move in the brand new Silverstone factory, bringing all employees into one building to reduce information leakage and improve internal communications. The team will also be able to count on a unique environment for designers, which will encourage the exchange and circulation of ideas.
By the end of the year, the proprietary wind tunnel will come into operation, thus saving the team from having to continue to depend on Mercedes. Not only will Aston Martin further improve the efficiency and speed of its development processes, but it will also be able to count on a latest generation, ultra-modern gallery. Although his contribution to AMR23 and the basis of AMR24 will be minimal, the team can reap the rewards already with development during 2024.
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