Sergio Perez believes that Aston Martin could be in the mix at the front of the grid next year in F1.

The Mexican driver finished in P3 in the standings in 2022 after what was a strong year for him overall, though he would have naturally wanted to be closer to Max Verstappen in the table than he was in the end.

That, of course, can be said for the rest of the field after the Dutchman stormed to a second world title and the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes will be eager to take the fight to Red Bull far better than they did last season.

The likes of Alpine and McLaren will want to close the gap as well if they can, whilst Aston Martin have made no secret about their ambitions and intentions, with them entering year three in 2023 of a five-year plan to make them championship challengers by 2025.

Fernando Alonso will be part of the plan, or should that be El Plan, from next season as well, and Perez believes that the team in British Racing Green could make big strides next year:

“I think Fernando will lift the team a lot,” Perez told DAZN.

“Everything I hear is that it will be a very competitive year for Aston Martin.

“So it would be very good for the sport and for everyone to have Fernando fighting at the front."

Lance Stroll drives in Japan

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 07: Lance Stroll of Aston Martin and Canada during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 07, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images )

Aston certainly seem to be one of the most progressive teams on the grid at the moment, with them investing heavily in a new factory that is nearing completion as well as bringing the likes of Alonso in and Dan Fallows not so long ago, after his lengthy spell with Red Bull.

Of course, they finished P7 in 2022 and so they will be under no illusion of the size of the task that is in front of them at the moment as they try and scramble to the top, but it would certainly be exciting seeing Fernando back up at the front and challenging for victories as early as next season.

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