Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that he expects a surprise candidate to cause problems this season, with “big numbers” coming out of one midfield team in particular.
Whilst Alpine and McLaren were comfortably the two strongest midfield sides last season, Horner actually thinks it’s Aston Martin who could pull off a shock in the forthcoming season, with the Silverstone-based side having big “expectations”.
There are plenty of reasons why Aston Martin are likely looking forward to the 2023 season, with the team having been incredibly busy during the off-season.
During the winter break, the team’s new factory has continued to be worked on, with the side edging ever closer to having the best facilities on the grid, something which will likely bring strong results with it.
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The signing of Fernando Alonso is, of course, another huge bonus for the side, who’ve replaced four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel with an equally talented double World Champion.
Former Red Bull head of aerodynamics Dan Fallows has also been able to fully input his wealth of experience and knowledge into Aston Martin’s 2023 car, something which will be hugely advantageous.
“You never know, Alpine made progress in the second half of the year,” Horner told Auto Motor und Sport, when asked which midfield side could possibly challenge the frontrunners.
“Aston Martin… we keep hearing big numbers coming out of their expectations, so you just don’t know what the running order will be. McLaren might even get it together this year.
“Inevitably the grid should, with stable regulations, start to close up.”
Horner, of course, is expecting Ferrari and Mercedes to be the Austrians biggest competitors this season, with the Milton Keynes-based outfit likely to be pushed all the way to Abu Dhabi in their quest to defend their Constructors’ Championship.
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Ferrari in particular are expected to start 2023 very strongly, with several reports having suggested that the Italians have had a sensational off-season; however, Mercedes too, are expected to be considerably better than they were last year.
“Of course, Ferrari had a very good car last year, they’re going to come out fighting hard this year,” added Horner.
“Mercedes I’m sure will recover from the annus horribilis last year. So let’s see, the competitors are going to be very strong.”