Assessing the 2023 season for Aston Martin is very difficult for two reasons.
Firstly, the teams results in the first and second half were so different as the development race caught up with them. They went from being Red Bulls only challenger to finishing 7th and 10th in Abu Dhabi. Not disastrous by any stretch, but not where they thought they would be. A flurry of early podiums had them grinning like a Cheshire Cat in the early races.
Secondly, and perhaps more notably, the huge gulf in class between their two drivers. Fernando Alonso continues to age like fine wine, churning out performances as he approaches his mid 40s.
However his much younger teammate, Lance Stroll, showed that he is not cut out for the world of Formula 1.
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Let’s explore that first point to start with. It’s no mean feat what Aston Martin managed to achieve this year.
Many, including myself, laughed at Fernando when he jumped ship from an Alpine team with positive momentum. What had he seen that convinced him this was the right move?
A surprise package
We quickly found out at a Bahrain Grand Prix that saw him take 3rd place. Meanwhile, his teammate miraculously battled back from an injury to take 6th.
It set the tone for the the coming races as Alonso continued to excel in the car and team.
He labelled 2023 as his second-best season in F1 and you could see why.
That sparkle in his eye, the overtakes on track. He was even rumoured to be dating global sensation Taylor Swift in the summer.
This turned out to be untrue, but the bottles of bubbly on Sunday made up for the disappointment
Things turned around the Hungarian GP. Both drivers still finished in the points, but 9th and 10th was a disappointing result after Alonso bravely asserted he ‘would not be off the podium again’.
The pack had closed up and the teams around them were suddenly quicker.
Tellingly, only two of Alonso’s eight podiums came in the second half the season.
Alonso still wrapped up 4th place in the WDC though. The Spaniard pipped Norris, Leclerc and Russell who all finished within six points of the Spaniard.
The team may have lost 4th to McLaren but should still be proud.
The 3rd place in Brazil also showed that the team still has pace in the car at the back end of the season.
It was a truly impressive season that culminated in the Spaniard being touted as a possible replacement at Red Bull.
Alonso denied this reaffirming his commitment to Aston Martin. That puts them in a good position to hit the ground running next year.
Does he want to be here?
Then we come to the second factor. One which will be much more alarming for the team going forward.
Lance Stroll’s form in 2023 was almost as bad as his behaviour.
Here is a man who had one of the best cars on the grid, next to one of the all-time greats to absorb information from and he looks like he would rather be anywhere else.
There were of course good performances. That opener in Bahrain where he showed real steel to take a solid 6th. The 5th place in Brazil to bring home a solid points haul for the team.
These moments were too rare, however, in comparison to the negatives.
The one-word answers in press conferences following a poor performance were reminiscent of a child being made to say sorry after throwing food at the dinner table.
This bubbled over in Qatar when Stroll was chastised for pushing his trainer after a poor qualifying performance.
It’s not a good look for a man who many feel would not be there if it wasn’t for his family ties.
There is talent there. It’s a lazy assumption to make that Stroll is in F1 because of his dad.
I do find myself questioning whether he truly wants it however. Perhaps a role in his fathers empire behind the scenes might be more suitable.
Taking over the reigns
Any driver would struggle against Fernando but sometimes it doesn’t even seem like Stroll realises how far behind he is.
The Canadian is likely to take over as team leader when the Spaniard departs. That could come at the end of next season if Alonso decides enough is enough. Stroll would be wise to take on as much as possible before the moment comes.
As for the team, there is uncertainty going into 2024. The future is bright but the word is that Lawrence Stroll is already looking to sell at least part of the company.
Reports ahead of the Qatar GP suggested the Saudi Arabia state fund with one of Aston Martin’s title sponsors, the Saudi oil firm Aramco, were leading negotiations over a potential €800million deal.
It could also see both Stroll’s departing the sport with his father choosing to pull back if his son no longer has the desire to compete.
It could be a stumbling block for Aston Martin as they look to solidify their position at the top of the grid next year.
On the other hand, it could be the financial springboard to take them on to titles.
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