New infrastructure is being introduced throughout the year at the Aston Martin Technology Campus in Silverstone, with a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and new simulator soon to be operational. Mike Krak, the team leader, has special hope for this.
Mike Krak: “The new simulator and wind tunnel may be factors that will influence all our work. We currently use the excellent Mercedes wind tunnel at Brackley, but having our own wind tunnel will take it to the next level.
Why is the impact of this so great? Because we will be able to act more flexibly. Nowadays we have to do aerodynamic research sessions back to back, one after the other, but if the model turns out to be unsuccessful, or if there are reliability problems, we simply skip such sessions and waste time.
In Formula 1 there are restrictions on aerodynamic research, so all these sessions are a very valuable resource. Once we have our own tube working, the stress will immediately be less and we can let our aerodynamicists be more creative.
Everything is close by at the team’s base: the model shop is literally next to the wind tunnel. We can pause during the session, wait an hour or two while new components are created, and then resume work.
However, when the wind tunnel is put into use, we will not immediately see the results. As with any new tool, we still have to learn how to use it correctly. The first priority is to achieve the stability and quality that we get when we work in the Mercedes wind tunnel, and that is not easy because it has been refined and modernized for twenty years.
Also our new simulator is a very large-scale project, which is carried out by a separate team of specialists, and they strive to make it the best in its category. Thanks to this simulator we can work with more accurate digital models – the whole process of receiving feedback and interacting with riders will be improved. I saw the demo version and was simply amazed, it felt like I was in Star Wars!..”
Currently, the process of setting up and calibrating Aston Martin’s new wind tunnel is in full swing, and if everything goes according to plan, without major complications, this work should be completed before the end of the year.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
