F1: New Aston Martin AMR23 Car Unveiled; Gets New Front Wing & Updated Sidepods

F1: For the 2023 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin has revealed the exterior of its new race car, the AMR23. Generally, the cars we see at launch, as is the case with all F1 launches, are rarely those that will actually make it to the track for the first race of the season, as teams try to keep design secrets under wraps for as long as possible. However, Aston Martin has described the AMR23 as a "considerable evolution" of the vehicle from the previous year, and a closer examination already reveals some significant changes. After having a challenging start to the 2022 season that necessitated an early concept change, the Silverstone-based team believes it has improved over the winter. Dan Fallows, a former Red Bull aero chief, joined Aston Martin in April 2022, but the AMR23 is the team's first vehicle that he has been actively involved in developing from the beginning. The sidepod and engine cover are remarkably similar to the Red Bull that won the championship the previous year.

Also Read: Hyderabad e-Prix: Formula E Announces ACE Championship Electric Racing Series

According to technical director Dan Fallows, the organisation has made some significant changes in preparation for 2023, making the new AMR23 95 per cent different from its predecessor. This includes an extensively modified front wing, new sidepods with an inner ramp that is much more sweeping and aggressive, and a new engine cover with a larger roll hoop inlet. The car receives a new, flatter, slimmer nose. The car also has a special logo on the nose commemorating Aston Martin's 110th anniversary.

Aston Martin, according to Fallows, had set its sights on climbing the grid and had not intended to hold back from pushing the limits of what was feasible. “The design team was adamant that it wanted to tackle these regulations without compromise. We want to move up the grid and start challenging the teams at the front – and you can’t do that by sitting back and being conservative.  AMR23 is a significant development of the car we refined in the latter half of 2022 – and we have improved it in every critical area. It optimises the solutions we felt would offer us the most performance, and it embodies the joint vision we have embraced and have built together over the recent months,” he said. 

Aston Martin tied Alfa Romeo on points for seventh place in the constructors' championship the previous year. In their third season back in Formula One, the team claims that their goal is to "deliver a car that will be competitive from the outset." This year, Aston Martin has a brand-new driver lineup as well. Sebastian Vettel leaves the team, and Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 champion, replaces him.

Also Read: Formula E Hyderabad e-Prix: Mahindra XUV400 Formula E Edition Unveiled in India

Alonso commented on the move, saying, "I have always said that I could see the ambition that shines bright at AMF1. And, as we launch the car in this brand-new factory, I think everyone can now see the scale of the ambition and determination at the heart of this organisation. Just as important is the car – and the AMR23 looks incredibly neatly packaged and highly efficient. I was pleasantly surprised when I sampled last year's car for the very first time, and I think there is plenty of performance we can unlock together. I can't wait to get started."

The AMR23 will race for the first time on February 15 in Silverstone. Official pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on February 23.