Reflecting on eight defining moments of our season so far
A season to remember on and off the track, and we're only halfway through. Here are a collection of memorable on- and off-track moments to reflect on from a rollercoaster first half of the 2023 campaign for the team.
The Formula One season has reached the summer break and there's plenty to reflect on. Off the track, we've made unforgettable moments with our fans with I / AM – we turned Spain green to give Fernando a hero's welcome; we celebrated Lance's home race with a host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Montréal; and we conjured up some magic in Miami.
Through our Make A Mark ESG programme, we've continued to take steps to ensure we have a positive and lasting impact where we live, work and race with the help of our partners, including our Title Partner Cognizant. We also officially opened our state-of-the-art new AMR Technology Campus, celebrated the 110th anniversary of Aston Martin and launched a new partnership with The Aleto Foundation to promote social mobility make even more of a difference in the wider community.
Of course, we've enjoyed a strong first part of the season on the track as well. Six podiums, 196 points, third in the Constructors' Championship, and we're only halfway through the campaign. As we enter the summer break, scroll down to relive eight moments that have defined our season so far.
1 | Car launch – New Energy
Our ambition is no secret and in the build-up to our third year on our F1 journey, we had a new venue in which to launch our new challenger: our brand-new Technology Campus.
As the Union Jack flag was gradually removed to give way to the resplendent, racing green machine, Fernando and Lance strode towards the stage. Their excitement was palpable, reflected by the crowd of team members and invitees in attendance, along with the rest of our driver squad: reigning Formula 2 Champion Felipe Drugovich, FIA Formula E Champion Stoffel Vandoorne and team ambassadors Jessica Hawkins and Pedro de la Rosa.
The launch of the AMR23 was also an opportunity to continue our Make A Mark journey with the help of our Title Partner Cognizant, as we welcomed students from our charity partners to our new home to bring them closer to the worlds of motorsport and technology.
Although we were working behind the scenes for months on AMR23, this was the start of our season for our passionate fans – and a crucial moment to reflect upon. Not only did AMR23 break cover for the first time; our new home played host to this proud moment.
Delve deeper into the AMR23 with our 3D visualiser and tech specs.
2 | Bahrain – A stunning recovery and a spectacular podium
While the countdown clock rapidly ticked down to pre-season testing, there was potentially decisive news: Lance would have to miss pre-season testing in Bahrain after sustaining an accident while training on his bicycle.
Test and Reserve Driver Felipe Drugovich was called up to share testing duties with Fernando and they put in a momentous shift, notching 387 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit over three days.
Meanwhile, Lance had to recover and retain fitness to get back behind the wheel. On 2 March, we announced that Lance had sufficiently recovered to race. This was an enormous effort from Lance, given how physically demanding it is to turn laps in a Formula One car. He finished sixth in Free Practice One, securing eighth in Qualifying – and a sixth-place finish in the Grand Prix.
Fernando capped off the team effort with a stunning podium under the lights after he battled Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton for the final spot on the rostrum. The world watched as we continued our journey with a truly inspiring result.
3 | Australia – our highest haul of the season
We scored back-to-back podiums to begin our season but there was no guarantee of a repeat Down Under. Races at Albert Park are rarely straightforward affairs. It can prove difficult to overtake at times and Safety Car interruptions are frequent.
This year's race was no different. The 2023 Australian Grand Prix set a record for the most interruptions with three red flags and of course, three restarts. The phrase 'cautions breed cautions' comes to mind.
On the final restart of the race, Fernando was tipped into a spin by Carlos Sainz and Lance seemed to have fifth place secured, but post-race penalties promoted Lance to P4 – his best finish yet for AMF1 Team – while Fernando retained the final podium place to secure our best points finish of the season so far.
4 | Miami – Making magic with I / AM A FAN
This year, we're shifting the spotlight to you, our fans. You're the ones who shout from the rooftops, show your support, and push us on through rain or shine.
In Miami, we launched I / AM A FAN to celebrate Formula One fandom and bring you closer to the motorsport in keeping with our I / AM ethos and reward your unbridled passion. That meant inviting I / AM members to the Wynwood Padel Club to spend time with Fernando, Pedro and Felipe on the court; meet-ups with squad members at our Miami pop-up store; a Citi Bike ride with Felipe and Jess, and more.
I / AM A FAN only grew from there. We brought content creators to the Monaco Grand Prix to shape the story and we turned Spain green for Fernando's home race, fostering a community spirit in the city of Barcelona where fans made friendships, met Fernando and won other incredible experiences.
In Canada, fans got closer to the sport in Montréal and we also continued to Make A Mark at McGill University, inspiring students and further demystifying the worlds of Formula One and technology.
And at our home race, we continued to put fans in the spotlight, visiting the iconic Woodlands Campsite, welcoming fans into our new Technology Campus, launching pop-up retail spots in London and more.
The once-in-a-lifetime experiences will keep on coming as we race around the world. Share your content on social @AstonMartinF1 and help co-create our story, and sign up to I / AM to get closer to the team.
5 | Monaco – Fernando puts in a scintillating drive
To even make it round it in a Formula One car is a challenge; to do it fast is an art. We'd already made a blistering start to 2023, but Monaco is another challenge – one that requires absolute precision given the tight confines and looming barriers.
Fernando qualified second, just 0.084s shy of pole position, and gave chase to leader Max Verstappen for much of the race, which seemed a straightforward affair until the rain came. We pitted Fernando for Medium compound tyres – and then the rain became more intense, adding to the jeopardy and forcing us to pit Fernando for a set of Intermediates.
Fernando recovered and went on to finish second by some margin. Not to be taken for granted, this was another podium and one clinched amid an ultimate test provided by the streets of the Principality.
6 | Announcing Honda – another piece of the puzzle
Announcing a works power unit deal for 2026 with Honda earlier this year was another clear statement of intent from the team and will provide us with the opportunity to exploit every technical aspect of our car.
"We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track," said AMF1 Team Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll about Honda, who have powered six Constructors' Championships and six Drivers' Championships since 1964.
And there's more to come. We need to forge our own gearboxes and recruit more talented people to join us on our journey with the new era of F1 power unit just a couple of years away.
7 | The ultimate drive-thru – opening the Technology Campus in style
We needed something spectacular and apt to launch our inspiring, sustainable state-of-the-art, 400,000 sqft Technology Campus. We moved into the first phase of the AMR Technology Campus less than 48 hours after Fernando's podium in Monaco and the first part rolled off our new production line shortly after. But we wanted to mark this momentous occasion with something even more spectacular.
So we decided to run a Formula One car through it.
Team members lined the balconies and their workspaces next to the main 'street' of the Technology Campus to watch Lance drive a 1,000bhp Grand Prix car through our brand-new home.
He created an indelible memory for hundreds of team members – and hundreds of thousands of fans who watched the video online. Fortunately, we were able to get the tyre marks off our shiny new floor...
With our new Technology Campus officially open, we also took the opportunity to celebrate Aston Martin's 110th anniversary with a glorious parade of 110 cars spanning our history and underlining our pursuit of performance. The brutish, astonishing Aston Martin Valour continues that tradition.
8 | Belgium – overcoming adversity
Just like any sport – just like life itself – Formula One is full of ups and downs. We've enjoyed some glorious moments on the track, including six podiums and 12 consecutive points scores, but there will be tougher moments. Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps was one of those tough moments: Lance crashed out in Saturday's Sprint Shootout and Fernando spun out of the Sprint.
However, it's all about how you get back up.
Sunday saw Fernando make a blistering start from P9 on the grid, pulling off a seamless one-stop strategy to finish in the top five, while Lance battled his way to a top-10 finish: a double points haul despite a thoroughly difficult Saturday.
The summer shutdown is up next – a well-deserved two weeks for the team to relax and recharge – but we're eager to take to the track and build on our strong start to the season, starting with the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix on 27 August.
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