Aston Martin under pressure after ditching P3 aspirations - Szafnauer

Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has conceded third in the constructors' championship is "a step too far" after the team's lethargic start to the season.

The luxury British automotive manufacturer took over from where Racing Point had left off last season with a car that was good enough to finish fourth in the standings, missing out on third only after a points deduction for running illegal rear brake ducts.

For 2021, the cars remained largely unchanged although some alterations were made to reduce downforce on the grounds of safety, a decision Aston Martin blames for its struggles.

Having started the year targeting third in the constructors' standings, Szafnaurer has reassessed the team's goals with Lance Stroll on five points, and new-recruit Sebastian Vettel pointless after four races.

"Unfortunately, I think P3 is probably a step too far," said Szafnauer. "We will fight hard in the midfield to see how high we can go but we would like to be in the top half by the end of the year.

"Nobody wants to go into a season anticipating to be top of the midfield or fighting for third and then ending up the bottom of the midfield.

"For sure, that was something we didn't anticipate and something we didn't want so we have got to fight hard to get our way out of it.

"We are all realistic that this is the end of these regulations as we know them and we have got to soon... well we are focusing all of our efforts on next year and make sure we come out of the blocks where we want to be next year."

The team has had significant backing from Lawrence Stroll and his consortium that saved the team when fighting administration after the collapse of Force India, with the Canadian businessman welcoming Aston Martin to the venture.

Asked if there was any pressure exerted being by Stroll given the shortcomings of the AMR21, Szafnauer reiterated: "None of us are happy with the situation we are in.

"We have got to be realistic with what we can do with a frozen car, a frozen rake and regulations that are significantly and completely changing for 2022.

"We just have to be realistic, understand the situation we are in and do our best with the car and the tools we have.

"For sure, there is always pressure when you are not achieving what you thought you were going to achieve but like we said, we have to be realistic, do what we can without compromising the 2022 programme."

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