Jenson Button does not expect Aston Martin to immediately catch up with the top of Formula 1 with one big upgrade package. The 2009 world champion, who is also an ambassador for the British racing team, emphasizes that the team has consciously chosen a different development strategy, focusing all resources on one extensive update to be introduced during the Hungarian GP.
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Aston Martin had a difficult first half of the season and is still waiting for a serious step forward. For that reason, star driver Fernando Alonso is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming summer period: the decisive upgrades must come in Hungary and a Honda engine upgrade will follow in Zandvoort.
According to Button, the main goal must be for Aston Martin to be able to compete again in the midfield. “First of all: competitive racing with other cars on the track,” he named as the main objective during a press moment for Viagogo. “You must not forget that they have had no upgrades all year because they put everything into that one upgrade.”
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Basis for the future
“That’s how it used to be,” Button recalled. “We didn’t have small upgrades every race or every other race; after a few races, there was just a big upgrade with which we gained half a second.” At the same time, the Brit tempers expectations. “I don’t know what it will yield in terms of performance, but I have confidence in Adrian (Newey, ed.). Of course, I don’t expect them to suddenly fight for podiums, but it is a step in the right direction, also with an eye on 2027.”
“When you want to compete against teams like McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, there are no quick fixes,” Button emphasized. “These teams are the best on the grid and it is very difficult to go from the position Aston Martin is in to the top within twelve months.” Yet he looks to the future with confidence, partly thanks to Adrian Newey. “I have always wanted to drive one of his cars. It is phenomenal what he has achieved with all those different cars. Many of them have beaten me over the years. I know it has been a tough year for the team, but I really believe in the future. A big upgrade does not necessarily mean wins, but it is a step in the right direction for the coming seasons.”
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