As of 2023, the armchair rear wing of Aston Martin has been prohibited.
Aston Martin youngster Jak Crawford completed his maiden Formula 1 test at the Red Bull Ring using an F1 2022 car, with a part that was later banned.
Testing of Previous Car [TPC] rules do not prohibit teams from running parts which became banned in later seasons, with onlookers noticing that Aston Martin’s innovative ‘armchair’ rear wing endplates were in use by Crawford on the AMR22 in Austria.
Aston Martin youngster completes first F1 test at Red Bull Ring
The AMR22 cleverly exploited the 2022 regulations by incorporating upward-curved endplates on its rear wing. This innovative design generated extra downforce on high-downforce circuits, effectively enhancing the car’s performance by creating additional high pressure.
It had been described as “game-changing” during the 2022 season, but the innovation was ultimately banned for F1 2023, though the endplates were spotted on the AMR22 for Crawford’s first test – with Aston Martin allowed to use this part in a private test.
In his debut Formula 1 test, 19-year-old American driver Crawford covered over 400km of the Red Bull Ring, equivalent to approximately 100 laps. The team stated that this allowed him to gain valuable experience at the pinnacle of motorsport, navigating the challenging Styrian hills.
He plans to make a comeback to Formula 2, where he is currently participating in his second season. His ultimate goal is to perform exceptionally well in order to secure a spot in Formula 1 in the future.
Interesting to see the banned AMR22 rear wing endplates return in this test. @ScarbsTech and I picked this out as one of our top moments of the 2022 season – https://t.co/IdohhemVLV #F1 https://t.co/uh0KA8Z5Ew pic.twitter.com/XPg5xVLqKq
— Cllr Sam S Collins (@NorthHertsSam) June 5, 2024
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Crawford expressed his gratitude to all the individuals at Aston Martin Aramco who played a role in making this accomplishment possible and for their assistance during the test.
The experience of my inaugural day in an F1 car was absolutely incredible, and I relished every single lap. It turned out to be an impeccable and seamless day for our team, devoid of any problems, allowing us to successfully achieve all the planned objectives.
My primary objective was to quickly familiarize myself with the car’s systems. The entire experience was a valuable learning opportunity, and it was unlike anything I had ever driven before, particularly during the high-speed sections. I believe I adapted quite effectively, and I am eagerly anticipating the next event.
“It is a truly remarkable experience to witness a young driver embarking on their first laps in a Formula 1 car,” commented Robert Sattler, Aston Martin’s evolution programme director.
“Jak has accumulated valuable experience throughout a full day of running, which he can now apply to his future tests in the programme.”
“We understand that transitioning from F2 to F1 in terms of driving style can be challenging; however, Jak swiftly adapted to the car and collaborated effectively with the team to enhance his performance throughout the day.”
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