Aston Martin makes no secret that team owner Lawrence Stroll is unhappy with the team’s recent form, which is all over F1 news headlines.
Discussions about the decline at Aston Martin, at this stage of 2023, are nothing new. The British team is experiencing one of the most painful regressions in recent F1 history with the AMR23. After a dazzling start, the team finds itself lost.
The first signs of decline were in Silverstone and Hungary – two weekends where the Silverstone-based team struggled for pace. Based on the initial characteristics and strengths of the AMR23, this drop-off was difficult to explain.
Aside from an outstanding P2 secured by Fernando Alonso in Zandvoort, results have continued to worsen. Alarm bells grew louder last weekend in Mexico, where (despite the luxury of three practice sessions) the team could not unlock the AMR23’s latest updates
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Despite securing a podium finish at the Canadian GP, it is this venue where Aston Martin was first led astray by their updates. With only three rounds left in the season, there are growing concerns they will be unable to recover for 2024.
Frustration within the team
Speaking after a disappointing weekend in Mexico City, team principal Mike Krack outlined the mood within the team:
“Lawrence is not happy, but we’re not happy either. Nobody is happy,” he told the media.
“If you have such a great start to the season and lose competitiveness, nobody is happy. But we don’t need [Lawrence Stroll] to tell us that.
“We are a strong team, and we have to work cooperatively and openly to get out of this.”
Over the past few days, a series of rumours have circulated regarding Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso. Although the speculation on social media is almost entirely without foundation, it speaks to the environment now surrounding the team.
Formula 1, like most sports, demands consistent results. A failure to maintain high performance will be scrutinised and rightfully discussed. Regarding the Silverstone-based team, there is understandably plenty of doubt about their current trajectory.
Mike Krack must ensure that his team recovers from its woeful mid-season development. If the team’s direction is not reversed, the final years with these F1 regulations could be painful indeed.
