Aston Martin faces a major challenge heading into the season 2026 of Formula 1year marked by the implementation of new technical regulations that promise to level the grid.
The Silverstone team, which has experienced notable growth in recent years, is currently in a technological and structural transition periodwith his eyes fixed on his new wind tunnel of the latest generation, a key piece for your ambitions.
However, a delay in wind tunnel calibration process has slowed down the development of the 2026 cargenerating a domino effect that affects both the team and its medium-term planning.
Although from January 1, 2025 Aston Martin and all the teams on the Formula 1 grid were authorized to begin work on the design of the new cars, the Silverstone team has decided to wait until its new facility is fully operational to begin that phase of work. .
The new wind tunnel, located in the Silverstone Technology Campusis part of the modern facilities that Aston Martin has built to compete at the highest level. Designed to be an essential tool in improving aerodynamic performance, its launch has been delayed due to the complexities of its calibration.
This process, led by the engineering director Luca Furbattowas to be completed by the end of 2024, but the work has been extended beyond what was planned. Despite these delays, Aston Martin has chosen not to use the wind tunnel that he has rented for years to mercedes in Brackleywhere his previous cars were developed, including the AMR25 of 2025.
The decision to work exclusively at Silverstone responds to a clear strategy: maintaining confidentiality, guaranteeing that the technical solutions for the new car are developed in-house, away from possible leaks, and trusting that their new work tool will provide more and better information for this process.
Fernando Alonso reviews the changes in the ARM24 with an engineer
Qualitative leap
He new Aston Martin wind tunnel it’s not just one significant investment in infrastructurebut also a fundamental pillar for your future. Equipped with the most advanced simulation systems, it promises to offer more precise data that can be correlated with real track conditions.
However, as the team recognizes, it will take time to fine-tune the simulations and take advantage of the full potential of this tool. Furthermore, the arrival of Adrian Neweyone of the most brilliant minds in the history of Formula 1reinforces Aston Martin’s expectations.
Newey, who will join the team on March 5dedicate much of its time to the development of the 2026 car. Its incorporation, together with other notable technicians such as Andy Cowell and Eric Blandinreinforces the team’s long-term vision.
The delay in using the new wind tunnel is not the only challenge facing Aston Martin. The team is also in full transition to official team statusa process that involves designing and manufacturing key components, such as the gearbox, that were previously sourced from Mercedes.
Furthermore, the association with the historic manufacturer Sling for the supply of power units exclusively for them from 2026 adds an additional layer of complexity to this restructuring stage.
Andy CowellCEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, has emphasized the importance of managing all these processes efficiently to avoid compromising performance on the track. “2026 is an opportunitybut not the final goal. We want to build a team that achieves sustained success,” he said in recent statements.
The 2025 season will be crucial to consolidate the team’s structure before facing the challenges of 2026. Although the AMR25 will be developed with current resources, the strategic focus is already on the next big technical leap. Cowell insists that the key will be finding a balance between immediate priorities and long-term goals.
With a robust technical base, a high-level human team and a constantly evolving infrastructure, Aston Martin seems to be on the right track to compete at the top of the grid. However, time is of the essence and rivals such as Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari will not give up in the fight to maintain their dominance.