The next Formula 1 championship will begin on February 29 in Bahrain and the teams are working at full speed on their new cars. There is very little left to learn about the innovations that engineers have introduced into their cars to improve performance in the new season.
And, in this sense, Aston Martin seeks to make the definitive leap after the best season in its history. Eight podiums and a collection of impossible maneuvers attest to a season that few dreamed of but the Asturian driver wants more. To do this, in addition to the advantage that the distribution of wind tunnel hours gives it, it will benefit from a novelty introduced by Mercedes that will put an end to its top speed problems.
Mercedes, after analyzing the performance of its chassis in the W14, has chosen to give it an important change for the W15, turning it into a more traditional one with a more miniaturized transmission. This variation will not only help the German team, but will be key in the design of the new Aston Martin since it is Mercedes that provides the engine, gearbox and rear chassis to Alonso’s team.
New gearbox
According to Motorsport, the Brackley engineers have decided to shorten the gearbox, which was the longest on the grid, to offer a layout more in line with the current ground effect cars. A shorter gearbox will be sought to move the engine and, therefore, take the cockpit further back, moving the radiator ports away from the front wheel. Some changes, which according to paddock rumors, could give the drivers up to five tenths per lap. A key figure if Aston Martin wants to get closer to the all-powerful Red Bull.
But there is still more. The green team assures that the new car will be much more efficient than the current one and in which the main architecture and the rear wings will be the key. “We are trying to create a car that can be driven on all circuits and simply changing the rear wing or the front wing to be stronger,” warns Tom McCullough. In fact, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Aston Martin introduced a rear wing to pave the way for next year’s AMR24. Three modifications were made with respect to the previous version: a larger central support, adjustments to the endplates and revisions to the upper flap. A revolution that went unnoticed and that will provide Fernando Alonso’s car with greater levels of efficiency.
“Next year’s car will be like the little brother of the AMR23 but it will evolve in all areas,” they say.
February 12 is the date chosen by the Aston Martin team to present its new AMR24, one day before Ferrari presents its new car and two days before Mercedes and McLaren do the same. That day we will know if the English team has found the key that will allow it to approach the “33” and end the absolute dominance of Red Bull.
2024-01-06 07:02:13
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