The pre-season tests in Bahrain have left many questions unanswered, but they have also left some certainties. Among them is that the Aston Martin AMR25 has made progress, it has moved up a level. The lap times were not particularly surprising, but if we look at the telemetry data, with the AMR25 the Silverstone squad has found a car that should hide more potential than it has shown so far.
A car with room for improvement
One of the most revealing data points is provided by a comparison of the fastest lap by Fernando Alonso and the fastest lap on the second day, set by Carlos Sainz. On the straight before the finish line, Alonso did not even manage to get into eighth gear, which suggests that the team could be limiting its power. This has led some experts to think that the AMR25 has not yet fulfilled its true potential.
Similarly, the analysis derived from the telemetry would also confirm that Aston Martin regains time throughout braking compared to teams such as Williams, which is a very relevant piece of data, given that it highlights an illusion of improvement in the performance of the car when cornering. For Aston Martin, this represents a considerable change from last year, when the lack of stability in corners was one of the aspects that most affected them.
A deceptive pace due to temperature and tire management
From the inside, the feeling is that the AMR25 is competitive, although there is still work to be done. Aston Martin has assured that they have not shown everything and that they will be much higher up the rankings when the full potential of the car is unlocked.
One of the factors that could be limiting its performance is overheating. The British team has been cautious in managing the temperature of the engine, which could explain why they have not used all the available power. They have also had to keep an eye on tyre wear, another element that influences lap times and which could be masking the true level of the AMR25.
Sky Sports has highlighted that in corners Aston Martin is on a par with Ferrari and McLaren, which reinforces the theory that the British team has done its homework in terms of aerodynamics. The new front spoiler and modifications to the nose have improved the car’s performance, something that Alonso has already hinted at with his statements and gestures in the pit lane.
Expectations for the third day of testing
The team is calling for calm. Andy Cowell, head of Aston Martin, has reminded us that “we have to wait until the end of the third day” to draw clearer conclusions. At Silverstone they know that tests do not always reflect the real performance that will be seen in the race and that, in addition, the weather conditions have been a factor to be taken into account in the first days.
The rain complicated Thursday morning’s session and limited Alonso’s running, although the Spaniard was able to complete 45 laps at a solid pace. Lance Stroll took over in the afternoon, allowing the team to accumulate a total of 102 laps between the two drivers.
With the last day of testing over, the big question is whether Aston Martin will show more of their cards before the end of the preseason or whether they will remain cautious until the first race in Australia. What is clear is that the telemetry does not lie: the AMR25 has taken a step forward and, when the time comes, it could surprise more than a few.