Aston Martin ready to climb Formula 1 ranks in 2023 after exploiting loopholes

Aston Martin deputy technical director Eric Blandin has said there are "a few clever innovations" on the AMR23, which could help them on their way forward in the year ahead.

The team finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship in 2022, but drew attention in Barcelona in particular when they arrived with a radically overhauled concept that was quickly dubbed the 'green Red Bull' - though they were cleared of any wrongdoing amid copying allegations from the Formula 1 frontrunners.

Their 'armchair' high-downforce rear wing concept also caught the eye in Hungary, though that has been outlawed for 2023.

Blandin was one of many marquee signings brought across to Aston Martin as they began expanding their team, leaving his role as head of aerodynamics at Mercedes last year to take up a new challenge at Silverstone.

F1 title contenders

Now that he has settled into his role, the former Red Bull and Ferrari aerodynamics chief will again work under Dan Fallows as Aston Martin look to assert itself as a title contender in F1 moving forward.

Blandin confirmed the team would be doing a full car launch on 13 February and would not "disappoint" fans by simply unveiling their livery, but he revealed there had been progress on their new concept.

"We've implemented a few clever innovations on the new car - they're the icing on the cake. They're a nice-to-have, but not a must-have," Blandin explained to Aston Martin's official website.

"It's great when you find a small loophole and can use it to your advantage, but it's not often you can base an entire car around it. Instead, it's essential to get the basics right, and then you can add things.

"When you start a new car project, you identify what your limitations were the previous year - and