When Daniel Ricciardo came to McLaren in 2021, he wanted to cap off his career with the team that was so good for his idol, Ayrton Senna. Instead of ending his career there, McLaren came close to ending his. A similar situation happened in 2018. After Fernando Alonso spent a few years in Maranello with Ferrari, he shifted to McLaren in 2015. He might’ve wanted to see off his career with the team. But with drivers like Alonso—who live and breathe racing—a long-term retirement is almost never a possibility. So, before it got to a point where McLaren had to relieve him of his duties (if that would’ve ever come) like Ricciardo, he decided to do it himself.

Midway through 2018, Alonso made up his mind. He was tired of McLaren’s uncompetitiveness, coupled with Mercedes’ domination (sort of ironic how he returned right when Red Bull’s domination was beginning). He said, “After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport, it’s time for me to make a change and move on.” Four years after his McLaren (and temporary F1) exit, he’s buried the hatchet with the Woking outfit.

Fernando Alonso is now taking inspiration from McLaren

For McLaren, the 2023 season started a lot like its 2018 campaign. Maybe even worse. For Alonso and Aston Martin, though, it couldn’t have been better. After jumping ship from Aline to Aston Martin this season, everyone felt it might not end well for the Spaniard. But boy, did he and Aston prove everyone wrong. They started the season with the second-best car, and Alonso raked in podium after podium. While they were enjoying their time in the spotlight, McLaren was finding it difficult even to catch a glimpse of the AMR23 (unless the MCL60s were being lapped).

In one of the best examples of juxtaposition F1 has seen, as Aston Martin’s development slowed down, McLaren made a miraculous turnaround. From being one of the slowest teams on the grid, it’s now become the second-fastest on most occasions. Seeing how the fortunes have turned, Alonso revealed the happenings at Aston Martin. “We are taking notes, we are learning everything, and we are seeing also what our competitors are doing, especially McLaren,” said Alonso. 

Just like Mercedes took inspiration from the Woking squad earlier this year, Aston is following suit. Alonso added, “The big steps they did throughout the season, it is a point there to look at and [it’s] inspiration also for next year.” With the regulations for 2024 the same as this season’s, McLaren’s efforts this season are bound to reflect on its 2024 challenger. That’s the case for every team, including Aston Martin, and Alonso hopes McLaren’s progress will also help his team.

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Although most teams have started shifting focus to 2024, they can’t forget the challenge ahead in 2023. For Aston Martin, that’s keeping McLaren at bay as the McLaren boys look to capitalize on their newfound form.

Aston Martin needs to keep looking in its rear-view mirrors

When Alonso announced his retirement from F1 in 2018, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said, “There is a time for everyone to make a change, and Fernando has decided the end of this season to be his.” That made way for Lando Norris to join the team in 2019. Five years into his F1 career, the 2023 season began as probably his worst in F1. To get back in the game with Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren took inspiration from Brown’s words. “There is a time for everyone to make a change, and McLaren has decided the 2023 Austrian GP to be its time.” 

McLaren introduced its major upgrade overhaul in Austria; since then, it hasn’t looked back. At the time, Aston was P3 in the Constructors’ Championship, and McLaren was P6, 145 points adrift of the Silverstone squad. After the Japanese GP, that gap is now just 49 points. Discussing this on BBC’s Chequered Flag Podcast, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird said, “I think Aston Martin would be looking over their shoulders in the fight for fourth in the Constructors’. If [McLaren] continues to get both cars in the top three or four, McLaren could more than likely catch and hopefully overtake Aston Martin.” 

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With six races to go, who do you think will come out on top? Aston Martin or McLaren?