In twelve months, Formula 1 has undergone a transformation. From Red Bull’s dominance, the sport saw McLaren reclaim the world championship after 26 years, with notable shifts in the midfield as well. Alpine experienced a rollercoaster season, Haas improved significantly to often lead the midfield, while Aston faced challenges on multiple fronts.
On one hand, Aston brought in high-profile engineers like Adrian Newey, Enrico Cardile, and Bob Bell, among others. On the other, the team underwent internal restructuring amidst a crisis. Dan Fallows, the former technical director responsible for designing the AMR23 and AMR24, struggled to advance the two projects, with Aston failing to reach the podium for over a year.
The last top-three finish dates back to the 2023 Brazilian GP, though signs of difficulties had already emerged in the latter half of that season. These challenges became the foundation for the AMR24’s story in 2024, with various experiments aimed at addressing issues with the AMR23, including performance on fast sections and straight-line speed.
AMR24: A Different Car from Its Predecessor**
The Silverstone team began the season as the fifth-strongest outfit, often far from the top four but with a comfortable edge over midfield teams. Nevertheless, there were opportunities for satisfaction, such as the fourth-place finish in Saudi Arabia. These results stemmed from several characteristics of the AMR24 that set it apart from its predecessor.
From the outset, the 2024 car showed improvements in medium-to-high-speed corners, thanks to increased downforce, and enhanced top speed, especially in qualifying, due to a more pronounced DRS effect. Unlike the 2023 car, the AMR24 quickly brought its tires up to temperature, making it more of a qualifying car than a race performer.
Unsurprisingly, Aston Martin’s best results came on tracks with numerous medium-to-high-speed corners or long straights, such as Jeddah, Japan, and China. However, the team struggled to meet development goals during the season, leaving that Brazilian podium as a distant memory.
Doubts on Development and the Bouncing Issue
A new floor introduced at Imola made the car harder to drive and was discarded after a few races. From this point, driver errors increased as the car became unpredictable. Attempts to increase downforce resulted in instability, a recurring issue from previous seasons.
The highlight of this phase was the Canadian GP, where Aston achieved sixth and seventh places due to favorable low temperatures and the track’s long straights. However, outside of Canada, limitations re-emerged, particularly at fast tracks like Spain and Austria, where bouncing severely impacted the AMR24.
By the British GP, Aston reverted to the Suzuka floor for better stability, though it reduced peak downforce. Mixed conditions at Silverstone helped the team return to the top 10.
Two Development Paths Emerge in Budapest
In Budapest, Aston Martin introduced another specification with revisions to the front and underfloor areas. This marked the beginning of two distinct development paths, with engineers alternating between floor specifications depending on the track. Suzuka’s floor performed better on slow corners, while Budapest’s was more effective at high speeds.
This rapid introduction of updates paradoxically hindered the team’s understanding of the car’s issues. In a lackluster second half of the season, the best result was Alonso’s sixth place in Azerbaijan, achieved with a low-drag setup and a return to the Suzuka floor.
At tracks like Singapore, the AMR24 exceeded expectations despite being unsuited to low-speed corners, benefiting from efficient DRS zones. The season’s most notable results came on contrasting tracks like Azerbaijan and Singapore, highlighting the car’s “extreme” nature—adapting only to opposite conditions.
An Extreme AMR24, Defined by Opposites
The Qatar GP exemplified this concept. The AMR24 excelled on Lusail’s smooth asphalt, which allowed a low and stiff setup for greater stability. However, bouncing remained a persistent issue on bumpier tracks like Brazil. Cooler temperatures in Qatar also mitigated tire degradation, another weak point for Aston this season.
These factors made the AMR24 extreme, though not for the intended reasons. Its competitiveness was limited to specific scenarios, requiring radical setups and dual floor specifications. These challenges will be a focus for the AMR25, as the team works to resolve these issues.
2025 will be a critical year—not only to achieve better results but also to lay the groundwork for a winning team in 2026, when new regulations and Honda’s arrival as an engine supplier will redefine the competition.
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