[Team] Aston Martin Racing in 2023. One of the cars still has Alonso.

[peebee2]

Not a happy ship I think. Running someone else’s car coming home to roost.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Not a happy ship I think. Running someone else’s car coming home to roost.

Not running someone else's car. They did build it.
But the penalty for copying someone else's car cost them points in 2020, and meant they were caught in the aerodynamic rule change that negated much of the low rake advantage in 2021 and put them on the back foot.
They simply never had the resources, financial or technical, to to recover from that.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

Not running someone else's car. They did build it.
But the penalty for copying someone else's car cost them points in 2020, and meant they were caught in the aerodynamic rule change that negated much of the low rake advantage in 2021 and put them on the back foot.
They simply never had the resources, financial or technical, to to recover from that.

Or the driving talent of the Team who designed it!

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

They simply never had the resources, financial or technical, to to recover from that.

I agree with the above, but it's potentially a deeper problem. Someone can give you a solution that works. And you can built it and be successful. But if you have to develop or adapt that solution. That requires understanding of "why" and "how" that solution works. Mercedes would clearly understand the solution much better than Aston Martin would. So Aston Martin would have always been behind on trying to evolve that car.

If nothing changed with respect to the regulations it may have been a smart move for AM as they could milk it until 2022 requires a totally new car. But with the change that impacted the low rake cars, they were screwed as they had a solution they didn't know how to adapt. Or would be slow to adapt.

Richard

[chillibowl]

right! how much money and resources were they expected to throw at 2021 when significant rules changes are set for 2022? plus it seems like they spent their money on infrastructure rather then the car.

im not a necessarily a fan of the cheating narrative and more inclined to think they got screwed by a rule change and by the other mid field teams (fair play though as all is fair in love and war).

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Or the driving talent of the Team who designed it!

this for me. they have been let down by their drivers who can on occasion overachieve but typically dont.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

In my experience of Formula One, denial of rumours usually turns out to be confirmation!

Yeah, but there’s also been many rumours that have turned out to be wide of the mark, so it’s often hard to tell

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

they were caught in the aerodynamic rule change that negated much of the low rake advantage in 2021 and put them on the back foot. They simply never had the resources, financial or technical, to to recover from that.

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Mercedes would clearly understand the solution much better than Aston Martin would. So Aston Martin would have always been behind on trying to evolve that car.

Is Eric Blandin the person who understands it?

'Aston Martin have signed Mercedes' chief aerodynamicist Eric Blandin.
The move is the latest in a series of high-profile recruitments by Aston Martin as they seek to restructure their team and move further up the grid.
The Frenchman will join at some point next year in a role yet to be confirmed publicly.'

With Dan Fallows taking up the role of technical director, and Blandin joining too - they look to be lining up a strong aero team.

One thing that interests me - Horner came across as a bit bitter when the departure of Fallows was announced, but I have seen noting yet from Wolff on Blandin's departure and AM say it is amicable.

'Red Bull said Fallows would not leave until the end of his contract and team boss Christian Horner said "it won't be within the next couple of years. It's a small paddock and rumours get around. We've known for some time and I'd rather staff read it in a communication from the team rather than in the media."'

'"The transition from Mercedes AMG F1 Team to ourselves will be an amicable one," said an Aston Martin spokesman.'

[GTRMagic]

While in a team statement today…

“ Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team announces the departure of Otmar Szafnauer.”

Ouch!!

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

While in a team statement today…

“ Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team announces the departure of Otmar Szafnauer.”

Ouch!!

Story Here

[steve_r]

Growing pains. Gone from a team with a small budget that was over-performing, and are now a team with loads of money behind it and a questionable strategy of running a car that is seemingly heavily based on someone else's. Expectations have increased in line with their budget, and 2021 will presumably be seen as a disaster by the owners when compared with a very good 2020.

I suspect that Otmar will turn up at anther F1 team sooner or later - whether the Alpine rumours were right or wrong.

With the new regs', I am interested to see what car design they come up with this coming season, especially when compared with their engine suppliers car.

[chillibowl]

have been a big fan of his approach for years and under some real crap owners as well.

huge loss for AM and hopefully a huge hire by another (possibly new) team!

other side of the coin though, is that i hope we see more Whitmarsh now. always like him as well.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

have been a big fan of his approach for years and under some real crap owners as well.

Wasn’t actually in charge that long though, as Bob was in charge before Stroll bought the team.

[S griffin]

Otmar did quite a good job with the team, both technically and on the team manager side. I wish him well wherever he goes. Whitmarsh should do a good job in his place though

[FIRE]

Mike Krack, who was head of BMW M Motorsport, is the new team principal of Aston Martin.

[greentrumpet]

Anyone seen him?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by greentrumpet

Anyone seen him?

Article Here

[chunterer]

Strange appointment? Not sure he's TP level.

[S griffin]

I know he used to work for BMW Sauber. I'm not sure he is ready for a job like this though

[Greem]

Originally Posted by greentrumpet

Anyone seen him?

I see what you did there, ably assisted by Hugh Janus

[greentrumpet]

Was worried I was being too obscure! In fact remembering an old US film comedy where someone called out "Has anyone seen Mike Hunt?" in a bar. Mods delete if inappropriate.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by greentrumpet

In fact remembering an old US film comedy where someone called out "Has anyone seen Mike Hunt?" in a bar. Mods delete if inappropriate.

See also: various childishly hilarious scenes where Bart Simpson prank calls Moe's Tavern

[chavez]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Strange appointment? Not sure he's TP level.

Been given the opportunity, I am sure he will give it a crack.

Incidentally, what attributes and skills are required for a TP?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by chavez

Been given the opportunity, I am sure he will give it a crack.

Incidentally, what attributes and skills are required for a TP?

I suspect those required at team Stroll are quite different to most other teams!

[S griffin]

I don't think it matters too much, they are just trying to get the best available staff and sometimes beggers can't be choosers

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I suspect those required at team Stroll are quite different to most other teams!

Why?