Stay alert petrol heads, there is a new car on the prowl on the Formula One circuit.
The AMR24 is “lighter, more aerodynamically efficient and more versatile” than previous models, according to Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows, but what else should we know about the model, which the British-based team hope will position itself once again as a main contender to Red Bull?
Unveiling and Design Features
With plenty of input from former Red Bull aerodynamics chief Fallows, who joined the team in 2022, the new AMR24 model shares lots of the same letters as last year’s AMR23 in its name, but the similarities stop there in terms of the specifications.
Before we look under the bonnet, though, let’s take a look at the design – and for the aesthetically driven, the British Racing Green remains front and centre of the outer shell, with accents of yellow skimming along the fringes of the wheel chassis and bonnet.
There are other tweaks too – the nose is now adjoined to the bottom flap. Previously, it had been connected to the primary plane underneath it. There is also an addition of a bulge at the bottom of the sidepod, which in turn narrows the the channel below this part, which is said to energise airflow.
Technical Specifications
There’s plenty to examine, here – but we will pick out some of the highlights.
- Suspension: A push-rod suspension encompassing the front and rear means the wheel assembly is attached to the chassis via a diagonal structure. There have been isolated modifications to both the front and rear suspensions, too. The front will work more closely with the wing and the floor to maximise the efficiency of air flow, while the rear suspension to optimise airflow at the back of the vehicle.
- Front Wing: An adjustment to help manage the wake of the front wheel has been made, alongside the addition of over-wheel winglets, which will help the car’s other downforce-producing surfaces combine more efficiently.
- Chassis: There is no shortcut on safety. New anti-intrusion panels are built by carbon fibre composite monocoque, providing maximum protection while also keeping the overall weight of the car low, which is essential for optimal performance on the track.
However, as Team Principal Mike Krack points out, the car underwent a comprehensive regeneration. At a press conference to unveil the new car, he said: “Almost every area of the car has been refined and improved, building on our strengths, and taking on board the lessons of the previous campaign”.
Performance Expectations
The team is excited about the upcoming season – and they have every reason to be. Last year was their best-ever Formula One campaign. They managed eight podiums and 280 points to end up fifth in the Constructor’s Championship, and only 22 points shy of fourth.
Indeed, it could have been even better – in the first eight races of the season, Fernando Alonso helped his new team to six podiums in eight races.
While it’s a tricky balance between expectation management and legitimate hopes ahead of the season, the team’s billionaire owner, Lawrence Stroll, will be piling on the pressure for a tilt at the championship.
Driver Feedback and Impressions
Legendary driver Fernando Alonso had warm words to say about the new model but also preached caution, arguing the model needed testing before any concrete judgement could be passed.
He said: “I am incredibly proud of this team and what has been achieved in such a short space of time. Not only the progress on the track, but the investment in all areas off-track at the AMRTC. I always enjoy this feeling at the start of a new campaign, with this season marking my 21st as a racing driver in Formula One. The whole team has worked flat-out on getting the AMR24 ready for the new season, but there are so many questions to answer in testing and the first few races. I am excited to get in the cockpit and start my second season in green.”
Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian driver and son of the team’s owner, said: “There has been a real buzz around the AMRTC this winter. We’re still a young team, but we’re growing up fast. There’s that hunger and belief when you walk around the campus – a credit to all of the amazing people working here. We all want to push on from what we achieved last year, especially in the final part of the season when we made some strong progress – learning more about the car. I think that sets us up nicely for the new season and I can’t wait to get going.”
Comparison with Rivals
While the AMR24 is stoking excitement among the sport’s onlookers, they still face some intense competition, mainly from the current ruler of the roost in Red Bull.
Indeed, some extra competition will likely be welcomed by the Formula One fan base, which has watched two teams share Constructor’s Championship glory over the last 14 years – Red Bull and Mercedes.
Red Bull retains an elite technical team, with renowned and ingenious aerodynamicist and chief technical officer Adrian Newey the brain behind a lot of the success.
Mercedes, meanwhile, have historically relied on the perfectly balanced engine-chassis combination – they will hope to tap into their experience to get back onto the podium.
Fan Excitement and Team Support
The debut of the AMR24 has long been on the calendar for followers of the Aston Martin outfit and the broader F1 community. From social media posts to online forums, discussions about the new car have been buzzing with excitement and speculation for months – and as of last week, they have been deconstructing the new model to the minutest detail.
Bosses will be hoping that a new car will bring renewed interest and energy from supporters, who have had a rough ride of late.
Future Prospects and Championship Aspirations
When you work for a billionaire, nothing but the best will do. But even Mr Stroll is tempering expectations of a full tilt at the title.
In an interview at the unveiling of the new model, he told interviewers: “We believe we will take racing green to new levels this year, continuing on our success of where we finished last year and look forward to our first win.”
Any podium-topping moment will be a massive sign of progress for the Aston Martin team, while adding to their total podium finishes will also help.
Socios.com Integration
Last year, Socios.com announced a partnership with the Aston Martin Racing Team, with the goal of engaging a new age of F1 fan. Owning Fan Tokens strengthens the relationship between sports teams and their fan base, bringing supporters closer together in pursuit of glory.
Fan Token owners have exclusive benefits other supporters don’t, such as the ability to vote in polls, access to unique merchandise and entry into special competitions with huge prize giveaways.
An example of how Socios.com token-holders can enjoy a greater engagement with the team was a question and answer session with Nico Hülkenberg, last season’s reserve driver for Aston Martin. Participants were the first to hear all about Hülkenberg’s decades of experience in motorsport and ask fun and probing questions that shed fascinating light into what happens in the background of an F1 team.
