Aston Martin has acknowledged it examined photos of Red Bull’s dominant RB19 car.
After a strong start to 2023, the Silverstone-based team has dropped to a distant third in the constructor’s standings.
Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso, took podium positions in four of the five opening Grand Prix of the year.
His third-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a source of controversy after he was initially demoted to fourth place.
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He received a ten-second penalty that was later rescinded by the FIA following an appeal by Aston Martin.
Despite a strong start to the 2023 campaign, Alonso finished a disappointing ninth at the Hungarian GP.
This followed a seventh-place finish at Silverstone earlier this month.
His teammate, Lance Stroll, finished tenth at the Hungaroring.
Stroll sits in ninth place in the Driver’s Standings, while Alonso retains a respectable third-place position.
Media sources are reporting that Aston Martin is lining up a ‘significant package’ of upgrades, in time for either the Dutch or Italian GP.
It’s believed these upgrades will include renovations to the car’s sidepods, DRS, and floor.
Many believe that the RB19’s floor gives it a significant advantage over other teams.
Photos of Sergio Perez’s car being lifted by a crane in Monaco revealed a highly intricate floor.
Opposing teams got another close look at Perez’s car in the Hungarian GP, as it was lifted up, once again, after a crash.
Aston Martin technical boss, Tom McCullough, commented: “We always look at any photo as you try to understand how to develop.
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“For this year or next year? It’s an evolution.
“What we do this year we will use for next year, and for elements like the floor we have more evolutions on the way for this year, just as other teams will.
“You always take a good look as we continue to bring updates to the car to improve performance this year.”