Aston Martin has unveiled the first upgrades to its AMR23 Formula 1 car ahead of the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, a race where it is expected to challenge Red Bull.
Led by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, the Silverstone team currently sit second in the constructors’ championship behind Red Bull after the opening five rounds of the season.
But while the Milton Keynes team have excelled so far thanks in large part to their powerful DRS and aerodynamic efficiency, GPS data reveals Aston Martin has impressive braking and low-speed traction. So he should be in contention for victory this weekend.
The team will launch its first development package this weekend, having so far relied on circuit-specific modifications to its core design.
For Monaco, the AMR23 will sport a revised suspension setup and adjustments to the brake duct assembly while cooling and downforce have been optimized for the narrow street track.
Aston Martin has submitted modifications to the front suspension to the FIA, with a modified upper wishbone section to improve oncoming airflow over the rest of the car.
In the front corner, the front wheel deflector has been reshaped slightly to better interact with the air exiting the front wingtip area.
Meanwhile, the rear suspension gained revised fairings to increase the efficiency of the matching brake ducts while aiding airflow.
These three changes were made to improve the overall performance of the AMR23, while a rear wing with a more aggressive configuration was installed to maximize downforce for Monaco.
Also for the rear corner, the brake duct inlet and outlet ducts have been adapted to the increased cooling requirements of the track.
Technical details of the Aston Martin AMR23
Picture by: Autosport
Aston were due to introduce the sustainable performance upgrades for the Emilia-Romagna GP, before it was canceled due to extreme flooding in the area.
Ferrari has now chosen to postpone its adjustments until Spain since the circuit corresponds better to the simulations to help validate the new parts. On the other hand, Mercedes have adopted sweeping changes for Monaco anyway.
But Aston has split its reviews. Team principal Mike Krack said: “It’s a little divided.
“The Imola upgrades, the ones that make sense, we’ve saved the car for here.
“There were one or two pieces that we bring to Barcelona, because it makes no sense to bring them here.
“It’s a shared approach. We will have some updates here; we will have some updates in Barcelona. And we’ll have more to come after that.”
On his chances of upsetting Red Bull this weekend, Alonso said: “If I tell you I’m not coming here thinking I can win the race, I’m going to lie to you because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“We know that in Monaco, in Singapore, there are specific circuits that you need to gain confidence in free practice, to get closer and closer to the walls.
“I will attack more than any other weekend.”