Aston Martin’s Formula One team has yet to score any points in the 2023 season, continuing a difficult start marked by poor results and handling issues [1, 2].
At the Monaco Grand Prix practice sessions on June 2-3, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished 20th and 22nd, respectively, placing near the back of the field [1, 2]. Alonso experienced a loss of control entering a chicane during first practice but avoided a serious incident [1, 2].
Pedro de la Rosa, the team’s global ambassador and driver development advisor, spoke publicly on June 5 about the ongoing struggles. He noted the team resolved some reliability problems, including vibration and seat discomfort issues. "The vibration issues are gone, that's positive," he said. However, de la Rosa emphasized the car remains very difficult to drive, saying, "Fernando didn't say anything about his seat in FP1, which is also positive. But the car is still very difficult to drive" [1, 2].
De la Rosa acknowledged the challenge Alonso and Stroll face in repeatedly addressing the same problems after each race. "They have to face the media every race and explain the same problems. They're working extremely hard, but when you're not where you want to be, it's always more complicated. They're doing absolutely an incredible job to drive the car as fast as they can in a reliable and safe way," he added [1].
Looking ahead, de la Rosa said no performance upgrades are planned for the next several races. "We know that in the next few races we have no upgrades. We can see the upgrades coming, but they're far away," he stated [1]. The team plans a development push later in the season but must endure the current difficulties without substantial improvements.
The Monaco GP practice results and de la Rosa’s commentary highlight Aston Martin’s struggles in 2023, with drivers coping with a challenging car and limited short-term fixes. The team’s next test will come as the season progresses toward the later rounds when upgrades are expected.