Fernando Alonso Highlights Mercedes Wind Tunnel Issue in Aston Martin's Struggles
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Fernando Alonso discusses Aston Martin's struggles, pointing to limitations in Mercedes' wind tunnel data and highlighting hope with a new facility for 2025.
Fernando Alonso Pinpoints Key Weakness
On the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Alonso discussed Aston Martin’s struggles and explained how the team’s reliance on Mercedes' wind tunnel hindered its progress. He stated that the team faced “some of the wind tunnel problems that I think also Mercedes faced last year in terms of developing the car.”
The issue, Alonso explained, lies in discrepancies between the wind tunnel data and on-track simulations. This mismatch misled Aston Martin’s development efforts, mirroring challenges that Mercedes faced during the same period. Alonso noted that the shared facility resulted in “limited” wind tunnel usage for Aston Martin, further compounding the problem.
Mercedes Wind Tunnel Challenges Revisited
In 2023, Mercedes encountered significant setbacks when its wind tunnel data failed to align with track performance. Mark Hughes, speaking on The Race F1 podcast, highlighted how Mercedes' scale models produced “sensational” results in simulations but failed to translate to real-world performance. This misstep was exemplified by the team's “zero sidepod” concept, which looked promising in testing but underperformed on the track.
Aston Martin’s reliance on the same wind tunnel seems to have exposed it to similar issues, as confirmed by team principal Mike Krack in an interview with Sports Illustrated. However, Krack emphasized that the wind tunnel wasn’t solely to blame for the team’s development struggles.
Mixed Factors Behind Development Struggles
According to Alonso, Aston Martin’s challenges were the result of multiple factors, including limited wind tunnel capabilities and internal issues within the factory. “It was a mix of things that we think contributed to the lack of development,” Alonso said.
While the current limitations have stalled Aston Martin’s progress, Alonso remains optimistic about the future. The Spaniard acknowledged that the team’s understanding of the car’s internal workings also played a role, making the challenges more complex to address.
Hope on the Horizon for Aston Martin
Despite a tough road ahead in 2025, Aston Martin has reasons to look forward. On January 1, 2025, the team will begin using its own bespoke wind tunnel, ending its reliance on Mercedes for aerodynamic testing. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to provide more accurate data and greater control over the development process.
Additionally, Aston Martin has secured the expertise of Adrian Newey, one of Formula 1’s most celebrated design minds. With Newey’s input and the new wind tunnel, the team is positioning itself for a stronger resurgence in the coming seasons.
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