Times are changing at Aston Martin. The Scuderia comes with its new F1 car for 2023. The machine was unveiled at the team’s new factory and with another multi-world champion driver installed in its line-up. Nothing more, nothing less than Fernando Alonso.
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Yes, Fernando Alonso is wearing Aston Martin green this season, having shocked the F1 world. Upon announcing his departure from Alpine to replace the retired Sebastian Vettel.
The evolution of Fernando Alonso’s car:
Aston says the AMR23 is an evolution of last year’s car, with technical director Dan Fallows saying they have “improved in all critical areas”. He continued, “It optimizes the solutions we felt would give us the best performance and embodies the joint vision we’ve adopted and built together over the last few months.”
As well as raising the minimum height by 15mm at the request of the FIA and introducing larger wing mirrors to improve visibility, the team says its main areas of focus have been the front wing, sidepods, engine cover and rim intake.
“I always said I could see the ambition that shines through in AMF1,” said Alonso. “And as we launch the car at this new factory, I think everyone can see the scale of ambition and determination at the heart of this organisation.”
“Equally important is the car, and the AMR23 looks incredibly well packaged and highly efficient. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried last year’s car for the first time and I think there’s a lot of performance we can unlock together. I can’t wait to get started.”
Stroll excited to work with new partner
Meanwhile, Lance Stroll who, for those of you who were sent to a remote island until recently, is the son of team owner Lawrence, said he was “really looking forward” to working with his new teammate. “I’ve always got on really well with him and it will be fantastic to race alongside him.”
He added: “Looking at the AMR23 I can see a lot of new ideas and some aggressive work around the packaging and aerodynamics that should really help us as we move into the second year of these new rules.”
While F1 fans the world over wait to see how Alonso and Stroll’s relationship evolves (or if past form capitulates), the team has Felipe Drugovich and former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne operating as test drivers and reservations. Meanwhile, Pedro de la Rosa and Jess Hawkins continue in ambassadorial roles.