2025 Aston Martin | Aramco F1 Team

[DJ Downforce]

Newey's impact won't be felt until 2027. Maybe late 2026. The team need to make fundamental design choices for the 26 car now. Waiting for Newey to arrive would put them far behind the 8 ball to the point that Newey's impact wouldn't matter. This creates a risk where they embark on the wrong design path for 26 and can't get out of it until 2027 where Newey can guide them. However, if things go right on the 26 car, Newey could lend his expertise for mid season upgrades. But 2027 is when I'll lean 'forward on the sofa' and start getting properly worried about AM as a Ferrari fan

[basti313]

The major technical decisions concerning the 2026 car have been deliberately deferred to allow Newey to make his mark on the project as soon as he takes up his post. In the meantime, the engineers are concentrating on preparing flexible foundations, avoiding irreversible choices.

This strategy is risky in the short term, but could pay off by giving Newey greater room for manoeuvre in optimising the single-seater. At the same time, Aston Martin will have to juggle its immediate needs with its long-term vision.

https://f1i.autojournal.fr/infos/pas-ev ... pour-2026/

Hmmm...this is foremost a time issue. As far as I read other reports, the top teams have nothing else but the 2026 floor in CFD and wind tunnel planned for the next time.
So what does Aston have in their wind tunnel?
Combined with the issue, that Honda is usually rather conservative with giving out the dimensions.

[diffuser]

The major technical decisions concerning the 2026 car have been deliberately deferred to allow Newey to make his mark on the project as soon as he takes up his post. In the meantime, the engineers are concentrating on preparing flexible foundations, avoiding irreversible choices.

This strategy is risky in the short term, but could pay off by giving Newey greater room for manoeuvre in optimising the single-seater. At the same time, Aston Martin will have to juggle its immediate needs with its long-term vision.

https://f1i.autojournal.fr/infos/pas-ev ... pour-2026/

Hmmm...this is foremost a time issue. As far as I read other reports, the top teams have nothing else but the 2026 floor in CFD and wind tunnel planned for the next time.
So what does Aston have in their wind tunnel?
Combined with the issue, that Honda is usually rather conservative with giving out the dimensions.

I think AM F1 have a unique situation. They have a new WT coming online. In 2025, the only way to correlate that New WT to real track data is to put the 2025 car in it. I highly doubt the new WT will see the 2026 car before they think that they can trust it over the Merc WT.

I remember Newey talking about this after the last set of new regs. He said that RBR racing tried to leave as much room for maneuvering cause they just didn't know what obstacles they would hit. So I think this isn't outside then norms or a hindrance.

[basti313]

https://f1i.autojournal.fr/infos/pas-ev ... pour-2026/

Hmmm...this is foremost a time issue. As far as I read other reports, the top teams have nothing else but the 2026 floor in CFD and wind tunnel planned for the next time.
So what does Aston have in their wind tunnel?
Combined with the issue, that Honda is usually rather conservative with giving out the dimensions.

I think AM F1 have a unique situation. They have a new WT coming online. In 2025, the only way to correlate that New WT to real track data is to put the 2025 car in it. I highly doubt the new WT will see the 2026 car before they think that they can trust it over the Merc WT.

I remember Newey talking about this after the last set of new regs. He said that RBR racing tried to leave as much room for maneuvering cause they just didn't know what obstacles they would hit. So I think this isn't outside then norms or a hindrance.

Hmmm...I dont not know...the reports in September were that the tunnel is ready and that they start this correlation work. Is this not correct, was there a delay? I would have expected, that they correlate the new tunnel with the Merc tunnel and the track data of the 24 car. They did not do updates, so I would have expected all CFD on the 26 car and all wind tunnel time on correlation. If otherwise, they wasted these precious resources.

The plan was also announced, that they start with the 26 car in January 25 as allowed by the rules in the tunnel. This coincides with the other reports of teams planning to go all-in starting Jan 25 in the tunnel with only the 26 floor/car.

The issue is, that CFD work is allowed since Jan 24. Now that brings us back to the discussion on Newey and the concept for the 26 car: Aston must have one year of concept, design and CFD resources in the 26 car. All without Newey. Otherwise they are one year late in CFD (they do not get these resources back) and positively seeing restricted wind tunnel times...maybe half a year on wind tunnel in the end.

[-wkst-]

Wind tunnel and CFD was not allowed for the 2026 modell until 01.01.2025.

You can't prevent teams however to think about the 2026 regulations before and have already strategic groups (although the rules were modified several times until the end of last year). On the other side noone can prevent Newey from thinking about the 2026 modell too at home...

As far as I understand the statements from team officials regarding the new wind tunnel, once it was finished in September the team started the commissioning phase (correlation work). After that (wich was sheduled for the end of the year) the tunnel goes/ already went "online". But Krack described this not as a simple process that you go into the tunnel, once it is online, and you get better results immediately. They need to learn how to use the tunnel properly, to get at least the same quality of results as in the Mercedes tunnel. No coincidence that Krack talked about an "operational" tunnel in 2-3 months in Abu Dhabi, so around February-March.

[basti313]

Wind tunnel and CFD was not allowed for the 2026 modell until 01.01.2025.

Thanks, I thought CFD was open, but rechecked it. At least they should have the models ready in CAD.

You can't prevent teams however to think about the 2026 regulations before and have already strategic groups (although the rules were modified several times until the end of last year). On the other side noone can prevent Newey from thinking about the 2026 modell too at home...

The interesting point is, that he was sitting in them at RB most probably towards middle of the year, right?
But he surely could not sit in these at Aston till 1st of Jan?

No coincidence that Krack talked about an "operational" tunnel in 2-3 months in Abu Dhabi, so around February-March.

May be an universal answer...this is the same as announced in September. Does not sound good if true.

[-wkst-]

No coincidence that Krack talked about an "operational" tunnel in 2-3 months in Abu Dhabi, so around February-March.

May be an universal answer...this is the same as announced in September. Does not sound good if true.

I guess this is a bit more complex. McLaren used 2 tunnels parallel for months too until they were happy and confident with the results. Everyone talks about their updated tunnel and sim, but the "reborn" of this team was built in the old tunnel...

[basti313]

No coincidence that Krack talked about an "operational" tunnel in 2-3 months in Abu Dhabi, so around February-March.

May be an universal answer...this is the same as announced in September. Does not sound good if true.

I guess this is a bit more complex. McLaren used 2 tunnels parallel for months too until they were happy and confident with the results. Everyone talks about their updated tunnel and sim, but the "reborn" of this team was built in the old tunnel...

Yes, that is what I would expect too. But still...they had free time in the tunnel last year, that was a gift. Sounds like they could not use it or finish the correlation to a decent result with this time. If they need to do double runs this year, this is costly.

[Ferro]

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/new ... ToAmetViiw
You have to be calm and cautious in this complex sport, but I cannot hide my enormous excitement when reading every word from Andy Cowell about what is coming next at Aston Martin.

[TyreSlip]

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/new ... ToAmetViiw
You have to be calm and cautious in this complex sport, but I cannot hide my enormous excitement when reading every word from Andy Cowell about what is coming next at Aston Martin.

He speaks a good game, but only time will tell. I mistakenly was excited for Dan Fallows because he was also inspirational and well spoken.

[KimiRai]

The important thing imo is that everything is ready before Newey arrives, so it's not like Red Bull where the team wasn't ready for him at the beginning in 2005/2006. Tools, structure etc. The tunnel should be operational by February, Cowell is setting up the structure right now.

While starting two months late is not ideal on the other hand it kind of helps a bit because he will come at a time when everything will be prepared.

Possibly 2027 will be the year when the full potential is realised. Of course, for that to happen 2026 must also represent a clear step forward consequently

[Ferro]

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/new ... ToAmetViiw
You have to be calm and cautious in this complex sport, but I cannot hide my enormous excitement when reading every word from Andy Cowell about what is coming next at Aston Martin.

He speaks a good game, but only time will tell. I mistakenly was excited for Dan Fallows because he was also inspirational and well spoken.

I agree, but Fallows at the time spoke from a purely technical perspective while Cowell does so from a global point of view, adding very interesting details about how he is doing it. Obviously we have to wait and see if all this management ends up being reflected on the track, but the difference at first glance between the proposals of Fallows and Cowell is substantial.

[Rikrikrik]

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/new ... ToAmetViiw
You have to be calm and cautious in this complex sport, but I cannot hide my enormous excitement when reading every word from Andy Cowell about what is coming next at Aston Martin.

He speaks a good game, but only time will tell. I mistakenly was excited for Dan Fallows because he was also inspirational and well spoken.

I agree, but Fallows at the time spoke from a purely technical perspective while Cowell does so from a global point of view, adding very interesting details about how he is doing it. Obviously we have to wait and see if all this management ends up being reflected on the track, but the difference at first glance between the proposals of Fallows and Cowell is substantial.

Cowel is a champion already, and Fallows, what Fallows did and won? I mean, Fallows never won like a "boss" or being a principal name of his area, just as "supporting", but, i can be wrong about this.

[diffuser]

May be an universal answer...this is the same as announced in September. Does not sound good if true.

I guess this is a bit more complex. McLaren used 2 tunnels parallel for months too until they were happy and confident with the results. Everyone talks about their updated tunnel and sim, but the "reborn" of this team was built in the old tunnel...

Yes, that is what I would expect too. But still...they had free time in the tunnel last year, that was a gift. Sounds like they could not use it or finish the correlation to a decent result with this time. If they need to do double runs this year, this is costly.

The time used on the NEW WT would NOT count towards WT time used for 2025. Only the lead tunnel time would.

[diffuser]

He speaks a good game, but only time will tell. I mistakenly was excited for Dan Fallows because he was also inspirational and well spoken.

I agree, but Fallows at the time spoke from a purely technical perspective while Cowell does so from a global point of view, adding very interesting details about how he is doing it. Obviously we have to wait and see if all this management ends up being reflected on the track, but the difference at first glance between the proposals of Fallows and Cowell is substantial.

Cowel is a champion already, and Fallows, what Fallows did and won? I mean, Fallows never won like a "boss" or being a principal name of his area, just as "supporting", but, i can be wrong about this.

In 2014, he was promoted to Head of Aerodynamics and continued to shape the team’s progress through Formula One’s hybrid era.

He technically was still being paid by RBR in 2021 when Max won but he was on gardening leave as of July 2021. Up to you if you want to credit that victory to him. Regardless, all the RBR cars from 2014 to 2021 where excellent in the aero, just lacking in PU power/reliability.