The 2023 Formula 1 season obtained off to a rocky begin for Aston Martin, even earlier than pre-season testing obtained underway at Bahrain International Circuit. The staff introduced that driver Lance Stroll would miss pre-season testing after an accident throughout coaching, and that he would get replaced by reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.
It was Drugovich who was up first on Thursday, taking the AMR23 out to the observe first for Aston Martin. Unfortunately, his session was restricted by {an electrical} subject, which brought about an early crimson flag through the session when the AMR23 got here to a cease:
It solely took 9 minutes for the primary crimson flag at testing
Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich, standing in for the injured Lance Stroll, has stopped on observe. pic.twitter.com/xdiHJLq893
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) February 23, 2023
Aston Martin was capable of resolve the problem, and get Drugovich again onto the observe, however by the point the morning testing session got here to an in depth, the staff had solely posted 40 laps through the session, nicely behind Williams, who posted 74 with Alex Albon on the wheel:
Bahrain Day 1 Morning lap counter
Williams on prime with 74 laps, whereas Aston had a little bit of a battle this morning with stopping on observe – solely 40 laps.I’m undecided if I missed it – however had been there any critical delays for AlphaTauri, Haas, McLaren, or simply lengthy turnarounds? pic.twitter.com/rXW6NiOuTF
— BRRRAKE (@brrrake) February 23, 2023
Veteran driver Fernando Alonso was slated to take to the observe for Aston Martin within the afternoon session, however even that obtained off to a troublesome begin. Alonso’s session was delayed as a result of a problem with the automotive’s flooring, which was reportedly broken throughout a observe pit cease.
Eventually, Alonso was capable of get onto the observe, and he posted one of many quickest lap occasions of the day, getting himself at one level as much as P5 on the classification, earlier than sliding all the way down to P6:
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Alonso even closed the hole additional because the second session of the day wore on, entering into second place, simply tenths behind Verstappen and forward of the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc. That’s the place Alonso ended the primary day of testing:
Following the morning session, Drugovich talked concerning the electrical subject, however highlighted how the staff was nonetheless capable of end their complete program, making probably the most out of a battle at first:
So whereas it may need been a gradual begin for Aston Martin on Thursday, Alonso was capable of assist the staff benefit from their time on the observe.