Aston Martin has rolled out major upgrades for its AMR23 ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, including new floor components. The team’s clear objective is to recapture the level of competitiveness that marked the opening race of the season, when Fernando Alonso earned six podium finishes. The Spaniard returned from the mid-summer break with a broad smile, despite the unpredictable weather that hit the Zandvoort circuit. At the first press conference after the break, his question was direct: he hoped to reclaim a place on the podium this weekend.
The final sled of sessions before the summer pause did not favour Aston Martin, as the upgrades that performed well in Canada did not translate to the subsequent rounds. The Silverstone-based outfit is intensively focused on correcting the car’s development path and will showcase the new aerodynamic parts at Zandvoort for the first time. Alonso noted that additional updates had been introduced in Canada and Silverstone, and that the latest aero package was expected to make a meaningful impact here as well.
It was somewhat surprising to see how competitive the team had looked in the early races and how effectively they exploited that form. The goal now is to return to a more competitive position in the second half of the season. The team understands that the front portion of the grid has tightened, with Red Bull and Verstappen still ahead, and Alonso acknowledged that four teams remain in strong contention for podium spots—Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren each present real threats. Reaching six more podiums in the latter stages will be challenging, he admitted, but achieving two or three strong top-three finishes would be a satisfying outcome if those podiums prove elusive.
On the title battle, Alonso kept a measured view about a potential fight for third in the championship against Hamilton, with only a single point separating them. He emphasized that every weekend would present its own dynamics, with fluctuations tied to the pace of each team. In the recent testing, Mercedes showed a touch more speed than Aston Martin, while the performance of his own team appeared steadier in some areas and less consistent in others. Formula 1 moves quickly, he observed, and the year had already delivered a mix of strong results and tough challenges. The team had performed well overall but faced the reality of competing against well-resourced rivals who continue to push the envelope in development. The path ahead remained demanding as Aston Martin sought a clear direction for both the current season and the 2024 campaign.
When the summer break ended, Alonso arrived with renewed energy. He described his downtime as time well spent with family, keeping the focus narrow and restorative. He clarified that he had not ventured to Ibiza or Mallorca but had simply stayed close to home in Spain to recharge. The mechanics and support staff also needed space to reset, and the team readied itself for a strong continuation of the season as the countdown to Abu Dhabi continued to loom far into the horizon.