Norris: Aston ‘slower and slower’ with every upgrade

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Lando Norris reckons that Aston Martin has become “slower and slower” with every upgrade, which allowed McLaren to overhaul its rival in F1’s Constructors’ standings last weekend in Austin.

McLaren’s 23-point tally at the US Grand Prix coupled with Aston’s meager harvest of just six points has installed team papaya in fourth place in the championship ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

But Norris believes that his team’s strong momentum could also see it reel in Ferrari - which is 80 points ahead - by the time everyone crosses the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi next month.

"It's our target," said the McLaren charger in Austin. "I think we're in a good rhythm.

"It's been clear that Aston… I don't know, they seem to have managed to make the car slower and slower with every upgrade that they’ve bought.

"They were racing [Red Bull] at the beginning of the year and they were out in Q1 and then they've been struggling, so I don't know what their issues are."

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Norris: McLaren’s best chances of winning in 2023 now ‘gone’

Indeed, Aston’s performance of late has been in stark contrast to the remarkable results it enjoyed in the opening rounds of the season, when Fernando Alonso took six podiums in the first seven races.

McLaren on the other hand managed to turn around its fortunes in the early part of the summer after a dismal start to its 2023 campaign, and the team hasn’t looked back since.

"[Aston] were very strong, they had a lot of points in the first half of the season and in the second half they've been struggling, and for us, it’s vice versa," noted Norris.

"When you look at where we were, how bad Bahrain was for us, how many seconds off pole we were, my six pit stops in the first race of the season, I lost my PU straight away… there are things that put us on the back foot from the beginning," Norris explained.

"And when you look at where we are now, to be fighting against a Red Bull, which was an unrealistic target for almost anyone, and fighting against a Mercedes…

"As much as we are disappointed that we can’t go for a race win, when you put it in perspective of where we were and how much we've improved, I think it's still an amazing day for us."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.