There are still many issues resonating in the world of Formula 1, even days after the 2023 season opened in Bahrain. Red Bull remains the pace-setter, but other teams are closing the gap. McLaren faces a long road to real consistency, and questions linger about Ferrari’s reliability. The standout story, however, belongs to Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin.
The Asturian veteran secured his 99th podium and delivered a remarkable performance, guiding Aston Martin to second place in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
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Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in pictures
While this achievement may appear anecdotal at first glance, it underscores the substantial progress Aston Martin has made with the AMR23. Yet some observers, including Marko Helmut and Christian Horner, have downplayed the milestone by dubbing the AMR23 a “third Red Bull on the podium.” Nevertheless, Alonso and his team have shown they are closer to the leaders than Mercedes or Ferrari.
Ongoing evaluation from the Mercedes camp: Alonso’s strength and motivation
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the notable performance from Aston Martin and the impressive work behind Alonso’s season. Although Wolff has spoken critically of Alonso in the past, he conceded that the AMR23 is a strong tool and praised the way the team prepared it. He noted how a transfer-driven upgrade allowed Alonso to boost the car’s speed significantly, a leap he hadn’t seen before. The driver’s practice times had shown promise well ahead of the season, and the car’s early pace reflected that potential. While Lance Stroll faced his own on-track challenges, the team’s progress spoke to a genuine step forward, illustrating that the Aston Martin package is performing at a level that demands attention.
What changed in Formula 1 in 2023
Wolff recognizes that Mercedes did not meet the ambitions that were set for the year. The car is nimble but struggles with top speed, leaving fans and analysts to wonder how the squad will adapt as the season progresses. The sense from Wolff is clear: Red Bull is expected to maintain a strong lead, forcing Mercedes to innovate quickly to stay in the title picture. Yet the team remains focused on finding improvements and maximizing performance, with every race offering a chance to close the gap and challenge for victories.