Aston Martin''s Imola breakthrough explained: 'We've found better answers'

Aston Martin's Imola performance proved the 'step in the right direction' the team's new wind tunnel represents. Deputy Technical Director Eric Blandin believes the answers it is providing will lead the team in the right direction.

A direction the team could not find for almost two years since they lost the development plot in the first third of the 2023 season. However, the upgrades introduced at the Imola Grand Prix, signal a positive change for the Aston Martin F1 team.

"It's got [a] slightly different configuration compared to what we have used at Mercedes. So I think it's a step in the right direction for sure," said Blandin to media including GPblog in Italy.

Aston Martin's wind tunnel provides different answers from Mercedes'

Despite claiming that that Aston Martin's wind tunnel is "a better tool than what we had in Mercedes", the Frenchman states it's no a magic a wand either. "The wind tunnel doesn't explain everything. It just gives you slightly better answers."

"We started to build up the package in Mercedes' wind tunnel, so we just finalised it in our winter, so we have not been able to completely develop it at the [Aston Martin] Campus. So as I said, I think it's giving us some different answers which I think should lead us in the right way."

Formula One Pre-Season Testing, Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday 23 February 2023 - L to R): Eric Blandin (FRA) Aston Martin F1 Team Deputy Technical Director with Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team.

Newey's involvement in the AMR25 and another upgrade package for the 2025 car confirmed

How important it is that the upgrade worked right away? Blandin revealed that the team was already working on another upgrade package but its implementation was far from certain.

"We still have kept a small amount of resources on the MR25, because our prime focus is MR26 but we have kept a small amount of resource on 25 to work on potentially another package but time will tell if we'll bring it."

However, their performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will have surely left the Aston Martin team very pleased, even if the results didn't show the potential in the revamped car's pace. So, a nother upgrade package cannot be ruled out.

The team's principal and CEO Andy Cowell revealed the British team's immediate development plan, confirming their intention to continue to add performance on the car also with a focus on developing technologies for the upcoming season and the regulation overhaul it is set to take place then.

Read also

Horner and Vasseur may be dissapointed after Spain's front wing spec change

Aston Martin build 2026 success on 2025 car: 'Only way to know it's race ready'