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The Silverstone-based squad stood out on the grid this year for the way that it frequently went in to grand prix races with no new medium and hard compound tyres left.
That was because regularly in free practice sessions it scrubbed race sets of tyres for a single lap.
The tactic caused some intrigue and prompted theories that the team was doing it because it believed that putting tyres through a controlled and gentle heat cycle in a practice lap could make the cured chemicals more durable in race conditions.
However, Aston Martin’s performance director Tom McCullough has explained that its policy was actually prompted by it needing to ramp up its live pitstop tyre practice.
With its pit crew having had a tough time adapting to the heavier 18-inch tyres this year compared to other teams, especially amid the heightened pressure when a car comes in at …