Eric Blandin: Aston Martin wants to fight for the title

Aston Martin deputy technical director Eric Blandin spoke about preparations for the 2023 season and promised that the AMR23 presentation on February 13 would show a real car, not a show car in an updated livery.

Q: There is less than a month until the presentation of AMR23. What are you currently working on?
Eric Blandin: The work on the AMR23 is proceeding according to plan. If we talk about the aerodynamic specification, which we will show at the presentation, then it’s done. All calculations are completed and transferred to production.

At the moment, 80% of our efforts are concentrated in the aerodynamics department, as we have quite an ambitious renewal program for the season. The presentation is important, but only the first step. We have to refine the car all year round.

Q: Will the team show a real car at the presentation, and not a show car, as many did last year?
Eric BlandinA: We will show the real car just like last year. AMR23, which will be presented at the new base in Silverstone on February 13, is the real thing. We don’t want to disappoint the fans.

Q: Are you sure the machine concept will be correct?
Eric Blandin: We have significantly improved last year’s AMR22 and made progress, so we are confident that based on the experience gained, we chose the right concept for the AMR23.

Q: Is the straight line car build problem finally solved?
Eric Blandin: The effect will not completely disappear, as it is related to the peculiarities of the current regulations. Every Formula 1 car is subject to build-up, but given the aerodynamic load and how it affects the car, this effect was more pronounced last year.

Q: How different is the AMR23 from its predecessor?
Eric Blandin: We learned a lot from last year’s car and we used this knowledge to create a new one. AMR23 is very different from AMR22 – we can say that we are talking about a new car. We changed 90% of the components and the aerodynamics are 95% different.

Question: Can it be said that the team has more room for progress compared to other teams that performed more successfully last year?
Eric Blandin: In fact, all teams have the opportunity to progress with the new car. We want to take a big step forward with the AMR23, but the question is, how big will it be compared to the competition? We don’t know, but I’m sure we have a good car.

Question: Have you already thought about what the car will be in 2024?
Eric Blandin: The 2024 car is already on our radar – we started thinking about it. The work never stops – by the time the team has finished work on one machine, work on the next has already been underway for some time.

Question: What do you usually think about when presenting a new car? Are you nervous? Are you excited? Worried?
Eric Blandin: A little bit of everything. I’m excited because I can’t wait to see the new car on the track. I would like to quickly compare it to rivals and understand the joining forces.

On the other hand, there is a feeling of nervousness because you think you did a good job. Each team has very smart specialists who give the best of themselves. You constantly wonder if we did better than them. However, we will not know the answers to these questions until we qualify in Bahrain.

Question Only two teams have won championships since 2010 – Red Bull and Mercedes, and you’ve worked in both. What’s their secret?
Eric Blandin: Both Red Bull and Mercedes have very talented people, but so do we. They are so successful because their key leaders have not changed over the years. Stability allows you to gain experience, promotes trust within the team – all this is very important.

Q: Why did you leave Mercedes? Are you tired of winning?
Eric Blandin: Winning is never boring, but I joined Aston Martin because I needed a new challenge. And here I have it – to make the team a contender for the title. Now the team is not yet at the level it wants to be, but thanks to huge investments it has a lot of growth potential. In addition, Lawrence Stroll is determined to make the Aston Martin name one of the leaders in Formula 1.

Q: You once worked with Fernando Alonso at Ferrari for 14 months. What can he bring to the team?
Eric Blandin: Fernando is an excellent racer. There are not many drivers of the same level in Formula 1. He is passionate and incredibly focused. After all he’s accomplished, he still craves success. Signing a contract with him will bring a lot to the team. It will move us forward and help us reach the next level.

In addition, he will push Lance Stroll forward and help bring out his best qualities. We have a very strong pair of racers and now we need to provide them with a competitive car. There’s no point in hiring the best drivers if the team can’t give them a fast car. We have to do it.

Q: Fernando was driving the AMR22 for testing in Abu Dhabi. What are his impressions of the car?
Eric BlandinA: Fernando’s feedback is extremely accurate. He clearly stated what he wanted from the car and immediately identified a number of things that we could already implement in the AMR23.

Last season, Fernando drove a car that was different from ours and more competitive. After piloting the AMR22, he was able to compare the two machines and say which ours is better, which is worse and where we should focus our efforts.

Q: What happens if things don’t go according to plan and the AMR23 doesn’t make a step forward?
Eric Blandin: If we have made a mistake and the car is not what we expected, we will have to acknowledge this fact and work on finding solutions. First of all, you need to understand why the car is not fast enough, what the problems are and look for solutions to problems based on the available information. There are no difficulties the team cannot overcome.

However, I strongly feel that we are on the right track. It will be a few more years before we become title contenders, but soon we will have everything we need to succeed. And then we have no more excuses.