Aston Martin to launch major upgrade at Hungarian GP
Aston Martin is preparing to introduce its most significant performance package of the Formula One season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with team principal Adrian Newey expressing hope that the overhaul will help address the team’s difficult start to the campaign.
The Silverstone-based outfit has endured a challenging year, struggling for pace and finding itself near the back of the grid alongside engine partner Honda. Rather than introducing a series of smaller upgrades throughout the season, the team opted to focus resources on a comprehensive package intended to deliver a more meaningful improvement in performance.
The update, scheduled for deployment before Formula One’s summer break, is expected to feature substantial aerodynamic revisions as well as efforts to bring the car closer to the minimum weight limit.
According to Newey, the development package includes a redesigned nose section, revised aerodynamic surfaces and modifications to the rear suspension, while the front suspension remains unchanged.
“The front suspension is unchanged. The rear suspension is slightly revised. We’ve developed a new nose and substantially revised aerodynamic surfaces.
“So, while the core structure is similar, it’s a big aerodynamic package coupled with significant weight reduction. The target is to get very close to the weight limit.”
The decision to delay major updates until mid-season reflects a broader strategy adopted by the team after identifying several shortcomings with the current car’s design and development process.
Newey acknowledged that time pressures during the build-up to the season contributed to some of the issues Aston Martin has faced, including excess weight and performance limitations.
“We’ve taken this difficult spell as an opportunity to overhaul how we work,” he said.
“On the chassis side, we’re quite a long way overweight. Some of that comes from integrating the power unit and dealing with vibration issues we’ve had to work through with Honda, but we also didn’t do as good a job as we should have on our side at saving weight.
“When you design in a rush, weight is the first thing that suffers because you don’t have the time to thoroughly optimise everything.”
The veteran designer also admitted that some of the aerodynamic concepts pursued ahead of the season had produced challenges the team did not anticipate.
“Aerodynamically, we also took a bold direction – which was largely pushed by me – without the luxury of exploring multiple concepts in depth because time was against us,” Newey said.
“I wouldn’t say the direction we’ve taken is fundamentally wrong, but it has thrown up challenges we didn’t anticipate.”
The development programme comes as Aston Martin continues to implement internal changes aimed at improving its engineering capabilities and long-term competitiveness.
Newey noted that the team has historically lacked some of the sophisticated simulation and engineering tools used by leading Formula One operations, adding that investments are now being made to strengthen those systems.
“We’re predicting a large step, but I’m reluctant to put specific numbers out there because our simulation tools aren’t yet as sophisticated or well correlated as they need to be,” he said.
“Historically, at this team, there hasn’t been enough investment in engineering simulation tools – not just project management systems, but the core physics tools themselves.”
He explained that while improvements are already underway, the full benefits of those investments are unlikely to be realised immediately.
“At the moment, they’re improving, but the real gains from that work will come later in the year.”
The Hungarian Grand Prix upgrade could also carry significance beyond Aston Martin’s on-track fortunes. Newey suggested the effectiveness of the package may influence the future plans of veteran driver Fernando Alonso, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The two-time world champion has indicated his desire to remain involved with Aston Martin but has not publicly committed to racing beyond the current campaign.
“Fernando is really looking forward to the upgrade and if it performs we hope he’ll be in the cockpit for another season,” Newey said.
“Given his experience, his feel for the car, his ability to guide development, he’s a tremendous asset. But he wants to see clear, tangible progress. If we can show that we’re moving decisively in the right direction, he’s absolutely committed to being behind the wheel.”
Away from technical matters, Newey also revealed that he has recently recovered from a period of illness, which affected him during his early months with the team.
“I’m OK now, but it’s been a difficult period,” the 67-year-old said.
“In truth, I was not 100% last year. I had to balance health and work much more carefully.”
Despite those challenges, he praised Aston Martin staff for maintaining stability and momentum during his absence.
“The team handled it incredibly well. I kept a very good relationship with the engineers and I don’t feel it caused too much of a blip. That’s a testament to how adaptable and supportive everyone here is.”
The Hungarian Grand Prix, scheduled for July 24-26, is expected to provide the clearest indication yet of whether Aston Martin’s extensive mid-season redevelopment effort can help close the gap to its rivals and lay a stronger foundation for the remainder of the season.
Source: BBC
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