The 2023 Formula 1 season is getting closer and closer to the start, and Aston Martin, the 2022 constructors’ 7th-placed team, has hit the test in Bahrain.

AMR23, Aston Martin’s single seater for the 2023 seasonPhoto: AFP / AFP / Profimedia

Aston Martin, in contention for the title in the 2023 season

RedBull and Mercedes principals Christian Horner and Toto Wolff praised Aston Martin, both impressed with the improvements made by Fernando Alonso’s team.

“I think they took a big step. Their concept car has pushed them forward, and it looks like they’re not too far from it. Fernando, in particular, looks very competitive” – Christian Horner (Red Bull).

“According to our calculations, Aston Martin can finish second” – Toto Wolff (Mercedes).

2005 and 2006 world champion Fernando Alonso hopes to compete on equal footing with the teams that have dominated in recent seasons.

“On the last day of testing, for example, we did a race simulation. Then we did 57 laps, the same thing we will do this week in Bahrain. I filled up the fuel for those 57 laps and ran a full race with all settings, even changing tires. At the same time, Ferrari did the same simulation as us, with the same fuel, the same stops, and we were faster than them.” Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).

On the third day of testing in Bahrain, Fernando Alonso took third place behind Max Verstappen (RedBull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

The 2023 Formula 1 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5. Next comes the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah – March 19) and Australia (Albert Park – April 2).

What the Formula 1 grid looks like in the 2023 season

Alfa Romeo F1 Team (engine – Ferrari) – Drivers: Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas Scuderia

AlphaTauri (Honda) – Nick de Vries, Yuki Tsunoda

Alpine (Renault) – Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon

Aston Martin (Mercedes) – Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll

Scuderia Ferrari (Ferrari) – Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr.

Haas (Ferrari) – Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg

McLaren (Mercedes) – Lando Norris, Oscar Piastre

Mercedes (Mercedes) – Lewis Hamilton, George Russell

Red Bull (Honda) – Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez

Williams (Mercedes) – Logan Sargent, Alexander Albon.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain / Sahir

March 19: Saudi Arabia / Jeddah

April 2: Australia / Melbourne

April 16: China / Shanghai

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku

May 7: Miami

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola

May 28: Monaco

June 4: Spain / Barcelona

June 18: Canada / Montreal

July 2: Austria / Spielberg

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone

July 23: Hungary / Budapest

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort

September 3: Italy / Monza

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay

September 24: Japan / Suzuka

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.