Aston Martin’s 2025 campaign is rapidly unraveling — and the root cause may lie deep in its new wind tunnel. A lack of correlation between aerodynamic tools has triggered a full-scale rethink. The team has decided to focus entirely on 2026 regulations, even if it means writing off this year.
A state-of-the-art tunnel, already under question
Launched in March 2025, Aston Martin’s brand-new wind tunnel was supposed to boost its development capabilities. Instead, it’s causing problems. According to internal sources, the data doesn’t match existing simulations or previous tests done using Mercedes’ facilities.
This break in correlation is a serious concern. F1 teams rely on a seamless integration between CFD, wind tunnel testing, and track data. Any mismatch can invalidate development directions — and that’s what may have happened to the AMR25.
A car lost in translation
The AMR25 was largely developed at Mercedes’ Brackley wind tunnel, before Aston’s own tunnel came online. The car has struggled from the start, leaving Alonso without a single point, and Stroll stuck in Q1 more often than not.
Faced with these results, Aston Martin has decided to halt 2025 development entirely, pivoting all resources toward 2026.
Adrian Newey: All-in on 2026
Adrian Newey, although quiet on the pit wall, is heavily involved behind the scenes. Team boss Andy Cowell describes him as fully immersed — “just drawing, no meetings, no emails.”
Newey is focused on maximizing the new car concept: improved wind tunnel process, deeper CFD integration, and smarter simulation tools. The AMR26 is expected to be his first true creation for Aston Martin.
2025: A deliberate write-off?
Andy Cowell isn’t hiding the long-term thinking:
“We could push for 2025… or set ourselves up properly for 2026–2029.”
It’s a strategic gamble. Short-term pain, long-term gain. But with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull already pushing hard, Aston Martin risks fading from relevance in the meantime, unless that 2026 bet pays off.