Aston Martin denies Belgian GP 'B-spec' F1 update plans
Aston Martin has denied speculation it is aiming at a major 'B-spec' car update for the Belgian Grand Prix
The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has denied it's working on a major upgrade package significant enough to be classified as a “B-spec” AMR26 for July's Belgian Grand Prix.
The idea emerged in the Miami Grand Prix paddock, and evidence for such a plan was provided by the fact that the team has declared no aerodynamic upgrades this weekend.
In contrast, most other teams have brought significant packages, with the FIA listing 11 upgraded parts for Ferrari, seven for each of McLaren, Red Bull and Williams, and six for Racing Bulls and Alpine.
Mercedes, Audi and Haas only have small changes, with the former targeting Montreal for a bigger package.
Given the gap to the opposition ahead – and that currently it is realistically fighting only with Cadillac – it would be logical if Aston Martin team principal and technical guru Adrian Newey opted not to try to make small steps on a race-by-race basis and instead try to make bigger progress in one hit.
However, the team had downplayed the suggestion that Spa has special significance.
"'B-spec car' is not a phrase we are using inside the team,” a spokesperson told Crash.net.
“There will be race-by-race developments – typical of any season – with some races seeing more significant changes than others.
“We never planned updates for Miami. We have a development strategy that’s planned many months in advance, and updates will be introduced in the coming months and races when they are ready.”
On Thursday in Miami, chief trackside officer Mike Krack acknowledged that the current competitive situation is particularly difficult for drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
"We are all racers, and we don't want to drive at the back of the field,” he said.
"So year-on-year, you want to improve, but you have also to be reflective of reality when you see that you have problems.
“There's no point of being frustrated, but you have to acknowledge that it is a human reaction. And again, the drivers are the ones that are exposed the most.
“I mentioned that before, and they are the ones that we have also to give the most credit, to have experienced drivers like Lance and Fernando, to drive at the back of the field is not where their place is.
“So there is certainly a level of frustration that we need to manage. But on the other hand, they're also great professionals, and they know that better times will come.”
In this article
Adam Cooper attended his first F1 race at Brands Hatch as a 10-year-old fan in 1976. He became a freelance journalist for Autosport magazine in 1985 while still at university, initially covering everything from club racing to the FIA World Sportscar Championship.
