Aston Martin’s Technical Director, Dan Fallows, has stated that the team has developed a Formula 1 car for the 2024 season that has a solid foundation. This design aims to prevent a repeat of the team’s struggles in the previous season. Aston Martin had initially performed well, consistently challenging Red Bull with their downwash philosophy. However, they encountered unexpected issues with upgrades, which led to their downfall in the development race. Despite a recovery and a podium finish in Brazil, Aston Martin ultimately finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, behind McLaren. Fallows believes that overcoming these challenges was crucial in establishing a competitive platform for Aston Martin to build upon in 2024.
Fallows expressed his satisfaction with the previous season, but emphasized the team’s continuous pursuit of improvement. He acknowledged the obstacles they faced and their ability to overcome them. The team’s determination and capabilities were demonstrated by their successful resolution of mid-season car issues and subsequent podium finish in Brazil. Fallows considers this a significant achievement and a testament to the team’s momentum, which they aimed to carry into the winter and incorporate into the new car.
Aston Martin faced challenges with the final parts of their AMR23, leading them to conduct cross-comparison tests between their two cars in multiple rounds. Fallows considers this exercise crucial in determining the team’s development direction for the recent winter period. They took a pragmatic approach to the end of the previous season, treating it as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons for 2024. This approach involved treating some races as test sessions, allowing them to gather essential information. The team’s strong performances towards the end of the season, culminating in a podium finish in Brazil and a fifth-place overall, provided them with valuable momentum heading into the current season. Fallows believes that this experience and the team’s continued momentum in 2024 instill confidence for the upcoming season.
Aston Martin has taken a path of progression with its 2024 vehicle, but Fallows disclosed that there have been numerous alterations beneath the surface from its predecessor. And while he is certain that it will demonstrate advancement, the former Red Bull engineer remarks that the brand has also been diligent in ensuring it can stay competitive throughout the season.
“We were extremely satisfied with the stride we made over the offseason, we believe we have improved upon last year’s car, which was our intention,” Fallows asserted. “However, truthfully, the offseason was brief, and we were developing components that were applicable for this year, quite late into the previous season. Therefore, our primary objective is to guarantee that this car provides a solid foundation for us to implement those developments during the season.
“We have witnessed, particularly in the previous season but also in the season before, that the competition for in-season development is incredibly intense. And we aim to be just as competitive in that aspect as we have been entering the new season. So, our main focus has been to establish a stable basis for us to continue developing the car and maintain the flow of performance-enhancing updates.”
Fallows is confident that the challenging periods Aston Martin faced last season have positioned the team to address any recurring weaknesses. When asked if measures had been implemented to prevent another mid-season decline, Fallows replied: “We are gaining valuable insights about ourselves as a team. We learned a great deal last year, including operational aspects and our approach to various matters, such as incorporating developments into the car.
“When developing a car, there is always a certain level of risk involved, where trade-offs may or may not meet expectations. This is something that engineers must simply accept. However, we have acquired extensive knowledge about the regulations and how these cars need to perform, as well as how to optimize the car’s aerodynamics.
“Therefore, we are confident that we have learned valuable lessons and can implement upgrades on the car with assurance this year, which aligns perfectly with our objectives.”
According to the Source motorsportweek.com