Aston Martin takes muscle with an AMR24 that looks at Red Bull

The difference between the revelation car and the fiasco of the season may well be hidden in two tenths, up or down. Futurologists have no place in this F1 beyond Red Bull. But what are you going to do, the Aston Martin AMR24 that the team showed today for the first time, and that will roll soon at Silverstone, is exciting. The team that returned Alonso to positions of honor earned credit with an impressive 2023 (eight podiums for the two-time champion) and now it is in their hands, and in their car, the possibility of confirming themselves among the greats.

Dan Fallows, technical director of the project, talks about changes in almost all relevant areas of the new Aston Martin to correct the AMR23's weaknesses (which were not few) and build a good platform "to develop during the year." “There are changes throughout the car. Most of the parts have changed, but it is an evolution of the AMR23. They change the nose and front spoiler, the aerodynamics, front suspension (which maintains the same concept), rear (inherited from Mercedes) and also things that will not be seen. “Most of the downforce on these cars comes from the ground,” says the engineer.

Alonso himself points out what he would like to correct about the predecessor: “I would love to have more downforce in fast corners, which was a weak area that we tried to improve with this car. The top speed was not the best, we were behind in the tables and we will try to be more efficient and faster on the straights. “There are a couple of points I would love to see on the car in Bahrain because it would help us on Sundays.”

With an eye on Red Bull

This AMR24 may stumble with the well-worn middle zone or rear its head against Ferrari and Mercedes, two giants. But the reference of this grid is Red Bull and at the Silverstone factory they want to look upwards. “It is inevitable that there will be convergence towards Red Bull solutions. With these rules it is difficult to see different cars. The important thing is that there is convergence in the times. But that does not take away interest, we want time per lap and it is in the small details of the ground and other parts of the car. Red Bull is beatable, we focus on it and that is what we are looking for,” says Fallows, ambitious: “We talk about Red Bull because they are the reference, but for us the fastest car is always the objective. As engineers, we want a car that is capable of being competitive on any circuit, good for the drivers. “If we bring features to the car, we must have the ability to compete at that level.”

Mike Krack, team boss, introduces: “The winter break is getting shorter and shorter. We had a great season with the AMR23 but we have tried to look at every area in the car and operations to take a step forward in all directions. It has been two very intense months since we finished the season, we hope we have done enough and have a strong car.” Alonso and Stroll will debut the Aston Martin this Monday at Silverstone with a short filming. Pre-season testing will begin on February 21 in Sakhir and the first race of the season will be held on March 2 at the same circuit. From there, enthusiasm and expectations will give way to results.