Aston Martin

**Aston Martin-AMG**

## Season Results

### **2020 (Season 7)**

Aston Martin are the new team on the grid for 2020 and continue from where Haas left off. The F1 grid was due to drop down to 9 teams, the physical assets of the now defunct Haas F1 Team have been bought by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of Lance Stroll. The team will race the chassis that Haas would've in 2020, meaning they should have a stable debut season, but not many in the paddock were expecting a repeat of what Brawn managed in 2009. The team however don't have a plan for developing engines for the foreseeable future. Instead, they'll be a Mercedes-AMG customer team, as Daimlier own a 5% steak of the company and have supplied Aston Martin road and GT race cars with engines since 2013.

When the car made its first appearance out on track, it was evident the team had taken a lot of inspiration from the Championship contending Toyota TF119 of last season. Team principle Otmar Safnaur has stated that the the team are looking for a stable debut season, and by implementing a tried and tested method used by Toyota, the team can focus more towards 2021, without being at a significant disadvantage in 2020.

Sergio Perez went above and beyond in the season opener. Making the most of the chaos around him, the Mexican made his way up to fourth by the end of lap 1. Utilizing the straight line speed of the AMR01, Perez was able to hold position once the rain came down. Lance Stroll was also on target for points, but an unscheduled pit stop left him down the order.

Round 2 brought the team down to earth. Perez finished 13th, and Stroll 20th. After 8 rounds, the team had a respectable 38 points, which is more than what was predicted, given the chassis of the car is its weakest area. With further updates planned later in the season, the team's target was 8th in the Constructor's Championship.

Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were consistent throughout the season, despite the team finishing bottom on the standings, some encouraging results showed the team has potential. With an in house developed chassis for 2021, there was reason for optimism of more consistent points finishes.

### **2020 (Season 8)**

With the budget cap initially being pushed back to 2023, Aston Martin have taken the most economical approach to the 2021 season, by purchasing as many parts from Mercedes as legally possible. Many are speculating that Aston Martin will become the official Mercedes B Team in the near future, with HWA Racelab in F2 and F3 running Mercedes backed drivers. This has already birthed the car's nickname the 'Pink Mercedes' as the AMR02 resembles much of the Mercedes W11 from last year. Despite much backlash from fans and teams alike, it's no different from AlphaTauri receiving parts from Red Bull. This approach makes the most sense, as the team operates on the smallest budget, and had to design and construct their chassis for this season, as using the Haas 2020 chassis again wasn't a viable option for a competitive car.

After a modest debut season, with a best finish of 7th, and 14/40 points finishes, there's to be no change to the drivers. Sergio Perez showed he'd lost none of his speed following three seasons out. Stroll showed flashes of pace also, but since his Father owns the team, it's unlikely he'll lose his drive any time soon.

The opening race would be a reality check for the team. Perez and Stroll were the last on track finishers, and the only two cars to get lapped. Perez was also involved in a last lap incident with second placed Josh Tirowee. Both Aston Martins had an incident free Round two, claiming 7 points in the Wildcard Race. Perez redeemed himself at his home race. An audacious one-stop strategy allowed the Mexican to finish in 11th, claiming 2 points, and holding off a recovering Tirowee on the final lap.

Pascal Wehrlein returned to the F1 grid at Round 5, the Dutch Grand Prix in place of Lance Stroll who had contracted COVID-19. The German competing in his first race since 2018, qualified 19th and finished the race one place behind Perez in 18th.

A swift end to the season saw Aston Martin finish 8th overall.

### **2022 (Season 9)**

Aston Martin may have finished 8th in the season just gone, but look to be in a dire situation ahead of the new season. A striking sidepod design doesn't look to have had the major areo effects, along with struggling to maximize ground effect around the floor. Team owner Lawrence Stroll, previously said Aston Martin have a five year plan to become a title contender, but with current trajectory, it cold take that long to reach the midfield.

Aston Martin come into 2022 with a new teammate for Lance Stroll. Sergio Sette Camara moves from AlphaTauri and the Red Bull family to join the main Mercedes customer outfit. Unwilling to move to Red Bull and play second fiddle to Max Verstappen, Brazil's new hero will now look to build the team around him and help take the team out of backmarker status.

Pascal Wehrlein returns to the role of reserve, despite impressing on short notice in 2021. Mercedes feel the German still has a lot left to offer and remained keen on keeping hold of his services for the time being.

Aston Martin scored for the first time at round 5, Singapore. The Wildcard points system bringing home 12 points. Sette Camara impressed in the changeable conditions to finish in 12th.

Aston Martin showed a sign of improvement at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but on lap 20, Sette Camara suffered a full shutdown and lost his breaks in Sector 3, and couldn't avoid plowing into the barrier. This brought out the Safety Car.

As the team's pace improved throughout the season, so did Stroll's. The Canadian's expert defense during a chaos-filled Belgian Grand Prix granted Stroll with an 8th place finish, the team's best result of the season to that point.

Redemption would come for Sette Camara at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Brazilian bettered the team's best finish of the season with 5th, directly behind the Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Aston Martin finally surpassed AlphaTauri at the Spanish Grand Prix. The event became the final Wildcard race following the cancellation of Monaco. Luck was on the team's side. Gasly retired on lap 2. Tsunoda finished behind the Aston Martin of Sette Camara. Stroll also scored well, and Aston Martin moved ahead of AlphaTauri into 9th by 4 points.

The United States Grand Prix weekend was a tale of two halves. A wet qualifying saw both cars reach Q3 for the first time this season to line up 6th and 8th, aided by both Red Bulls out in Q1. Both drivers were holding onto position inside the top 10 during the race, until Stroll crashed into the back of Sette Camara and brought out the Safety Car. Sette Camara valiantly defended 4th from Russell and Leclerc behind. The Brazilian survived contact from the Mercedes. On lap 25/28, the flood gates opened, as Leclerc ran deep into turn 1, and damaged Sette Camara's front wing. The 2019 F2 champion finished outside the points.

Sette Camara finished 10th at the Portuguese Grand Prix and elevated Aston Martin back into 9th two points clear of AlphaTauri.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

Aston Martin look to have emerged as a new force in F1. The British outfit that finished only 9th last season have catapulted themselves up the competitive ladder. The team's relentless recruitment of high profile figures from Mercedes and Red Bull in recent seasons has paid off. Former key Red Bull aerodynamicist Dan Fallows has, in part developed a car to have the established looking in their mirrors in the early races.

As announced at the Austrian Grand Prix last season, four-time Champion Fernando Alonso becomes the team's new lead driver. The Spaniard's negotiations with Alpine broke down, the French outfit siting his age as the main con to more than a one year deal. Aston Martin offered Alonso a two year contract, with an option for a third on Alonso's side.

Lance Stroll remains with the team, after making steady progress throughout 2022. The Canadian was unlucky to not maximise the teams better races, but also made costly errors. Notably, crashing into then team mate Sergio Sette Camara at the US Grand Prix. If he can iron out his errors with consistency, Aston Martin can be a force within the upper midfield.

Reigning F2 Champion Felipe Drugovich becomes the first driver in the Aston Martin Academy, and takes on test and third driver roles.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll completed the top 10 in FP1. Alonso topped FP3 ahead of Albon and 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton. Alonso could only manage 7th in Q3, but it's still a large leap forward from where Aston Martin ended 2022. Stroll was out in Q2 lining up 15th.

The Red Bull of Josh Tirowee started to drop back on the Las Vegas strop from lap 3, as his RB19 was suffering from ERS deployment problems. Both Ferraris, Schumacher, Vergne and Alonso demoted the Brit down the order. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Verstappen lead from Hamilton, Alonso, Russell and Leclerc. The Mercedes and Aston Martin debated second place, whilst Verstappen controlled the pace at the front. The squabbling from the three Mercedes powered cars allowed Tirowee to get back in the action. Red Bull were able to resolve the ERS issue under the Safety Car. Alonso squeezed out Russell on the run down the final straight, and Tirowee made his presence known passing both of them onto lap 23. Alonso finished his first race with Aston Martin in 5th. Stroll gained places to finish 11th.

Alonso once dialed into the Aston Martin to top FP3 in Australia from Tirowee and Zhou. Alonso again couldn't replicate his pace from FP3, and lined up 7th. Alonso rocketed up to 2nd by turn 1. Stroll in the other Aston Martin was struggling on lap 6, and lost a place to Sette Camara who was running longer on Mediums. Sector 2 played to the strength of the Williams, allowing Albon to get in the mix. Josh Tirowee pitted at the end of lap 10 for Hards. He rejoined behind the Toyota-Albon-Stroll battle, but quickly made a move on the Canadian. Alonso was also on a push, and found a way past his 2018 Championship rival to move into 2nd. Tirowee's strength over the weekend had been low fuel runs. By lap 23/29, his RB19 was rapid once again, and he reclaimed 2nd from Alonso. Alonso backed off in the final laps, to ensure Aston Martin's first podium finish in F1.

Alonso secured Aston Martin's first F1 victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Aston Martin brought a significant aero package with a new front and rear wing and new floor. Alonso topping FP1 was becoming a familiar sight. he pace for Alonso carried on through FP2, topping again from Hamilton. Alonso lined up third for the race in the upgraded AMR23. Alonso completed a pass on Vetstappen for the lead on to lap 6. The top four headed into the pits at the end of lap 12. A routine quick stop from Red Bull got Verstappen back into 2nd. Tirowee played the team game for Red Bull and boxed for a fastest lap attempt to try and take the point from Alonso. Verstappen kept Alonso honest, but the Spaniard took victory for a sixth different team! Stroll climbed to 10th to round off the team's strongest race to date.

Alonso was full of confidence prior to Emilia Romagna FP1, even entertaining the chances of a 2023 title bid. Previous race winner Alonso could only manage 12th in Q2. Alonso was the only driver to start on Hards and after leading a lap boxed for Mediums on lap 17. The four-time champion breezed past a Williams again on lap 18, this time Dan Ticktum. Alonso stormed through the midfield again and by lap 27 was up to 4th. One lap later, the Spaniard moved past Tirowee into the podium places. Alonso's mediums were finished by lap 32 and Tirowee made the move Verstappen couldn't to climb back onto the podium. Stroll climbed up to 13th.

Aston Martin announced Lance Stroll would depart the team at the close of 2023, as the British outfit move in a new direction ahead of partnering with Honda from 2026. It was an extremely wet start to qualifying, but the sky was brightening up. Four big names were caught out in the transition from Wets to Inters at the end of Q1. Throughout Q2, but Inters was still the way to go. The track was just about dry enough at the end of Q3 for Softs, with last over the line having the best track conditions. Stroll qualified 7th for his final home race, with Alonso down in 19th. Changeable conditions returned for the race. All 20 drivers survived the opening lap without damage. 6 Championships in the battle for 19th, as Tirowee demoted Alonso to the back onto lap 3. The red flag was out on lap 5, as Carlos Sainz's day ended early, and Liam Lawson collected the Ferrari in the process. By the time the AlphaTauri and Ferrari had been cleared away, the sun was out and the track was dry. 17/18 remaining drivers were on Drys. Toyota made a catastrophic error and fitted the Brazilian's TRD123 with Inters. The skies began to darken once more by lap 18. Schumacher brought out a second red flag on lap 29, when the German had an identical crash to Sainz. It was a four lap sprint to the end on Full Wets. Tirowee made the perfect dive into the final chicane on Stroll on the last lap for a top 5. Stroll narrowly held onto 6th from Vergne.

Aston Martin qualified 3rd and 4th for the the Spanish Grand Prix, but both were disqualified for fuel irregularities. Alonso fought like a lion to climb from 19th to 6th in his home race.

A possible race win was on the cards at the Singapore Grand Prix. Alonso qualified third for the second race in a row and this time would start from that position. The final Wildcard race of the season started dry, but rain was projected later on. A traditional lightning start from Alonso saw the Spaniard in the lead by turn 2. Alonso was pulling clear on lap 5, until a loss of hydraulic pressure in the AMG Power Unit forced the four-time Champion to retire from the race just as the rain began to fall. The Spaniard would still secure the point for fastest lap. Stroll completed the top 5 after being knocked out in Q1.