McLaren and Aston Martin ended up battling for fourth place in the 2023 Formula 1 constructors’ championship. That was a position it looked like McLaren could never reach early on, and one not good enough for Aston at the same time. But their fortunes waxed and waned in wildly contrasting campaigns.
This then, is the timeline to explain it all.
McLaren’s muted launch
McLaren unveils the MCL60 at its sprawling Woking headquarters on 13 February, with much to look forward to based on discussions over the team’s upcoming celebrations of the 60th anniversary of its founding – hence the car name. But new team principal Andrea Stella and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown are pointedly downcast in their predictions for the year ahead. The Italian says that McLaren is “not entirely happy for what is the launch car”, its specification featuring only minor sidepod, engine cover and nose updates. But they promise major upgrades starting in Baku (in April) and still target a top-four finish in the constructors’ points.
Aston’s simultaneous start
Hours after McLaren’s embargoed unveiling, Aston Martin launches its AMR23. The new car is the first produced by a technical team bolstered by the signings of ex-Red Bull designer Dan Fallows and former Mercedes man Eric Blandin, and the launch
