Aston Martin admits it can’t repeat the “big jump” in performance next season

Aston Martin Performance Director Tom McCullough reckons that the F1 grid would converge further in 2024.

Aston Martin admits it can’t repeat the “big jump” in performance next season

Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the 2023 F1 season. Aston Martin came as a surprise contender to Milton Keynes in the early part of the year after struggling in 2022. However, Aston Martin Performance Director Tom McCullough has made it clear that repeating such a feat would not be possible for the Silverstone-based team in 2024.

McCullough highlighted that the British squad was not as competitive last season. Subsequently, it made it easier for Aston Martin to make major gains over the winter break. However, the Briton mentioned that repeating such progress would make the Silverstone-based team quicker than Red Bull which was highly unlikely.

Obviously, I think it's helped when you weren't as strong last season to make such a big jump. And if we were to make the same jump now, we'll be well ahead of Red Bull, which is not going to happen!
Tom McCullough said as reported by Motorsport.com

The 48-year-old claimed that Aston Martin’s jump in 2023 was not as big in the first place. Tom McCullough pointed out that the British squad was already getting closer to the fourth-fastest team by the end of 2022. The Briton mentioned that the Silverstone-based team would be working on its weaknesses for next season and try to make the car compatible with all tracks.

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During last year we were developing the car, and by the end of the year, we were actually a lot closer to the fourth fastest team. So yes, we were closer to the front. But the jump wasn't as big if you look at the end of 2022... We're trying to put a car together that you can take to all the tracks.

Aston Martin needs to bounce back in 2024

The Silverstone-based team had an incredible start to the 2023 season. Fernando Alonso seemed to be the closest to challenging Red Bull at the front. The Spaniard managed to bag multiple pole positions in the early part of the year. The two-time world champion even had the potential to win the Monaco GP.

Fernando Alonso driving the Aston Martin AMR23 at the Japanese GP (image via Motorsportweek)
Fernando Alonso driving the Aston Martin AMR23 at the Japanese GP (image via Motorsportweek)

However, Aston Martin failed to keep up the development race with rivals and fell behind the standings. Notably, McLaren drastically outperformed the Silverstone-based team and even overtook the squad in the constructors’ championship. As such, Lawrence Stroll‘s team needs to turn around its fortunes for the 2024 season.

Certainly Aston Martin would be putting its full force into the AMR24 over the winter break. The Silverstone-based team aims to become a title contender in Formula 1 in the next couple of seasons. As such fans would be looking forward to seeing how the British squad performs in 2024.

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