Aston Martin sprinkled with Adrian Newey Magic Dust!
Discussion
At the front? Can't see it myself, maybe a strong 4th behind the Mac, Fer and RB, pushing for podiums. I like Lance, but I don't think he's the driver they need, and ditto for Fernando. Even with the best car on the grid I think either of those drivers would struggle to achieve the consistency to deliver a WDC now. Unless their difference in performance is like Brawn in 2009 I just can't see it.
The real question is if , under F1's increasingly prescriptive and hyper detailed rules, which veer close to creating a spec formula, there is even any opportunity to do anything radical and interesting . Even Brawn's double diffuser was pretty lame compared to some innovations in the deeper past .
I expect one team will establish a few ten tenths advantage and after spending a few million in the wind tunnel the others will catch up.
But most recent F1 fans aren't remotely interested in technical stuff- they want the whole grid seperated by 0,5 seconds. Me ? I'd rather see a two stroke W9 turbo emerge and blow everyone away for a season or two
I expect one team will establish a few ten tenths advantage and after spending a few million in the wind tunnel the others will catch up.
But most recent F1 fans aren't remotely interested in technical stuff- they want the whole grid seperated by 0,5 seconds. Me ? I'd rather see a two stroke W9 turbo emerge and blow everyone away for a season or two
Edited by coppice on Tuesday 18th November 08:35
To keep it short, I’m sure the car will be aerodynamically good, because Newey has a history of that.
Bigger factors will be the new Honda PU and a pretty weak driver lineup.
If Honda totally nails the powertrain vs Mercedes and Ferrari then I suppose it’s a possibility, but a pretty remote one IMHO.
Bigger factors will be the new Honda PU and a pretty weak driver lineup.
If Honda totally nails the powertrain vs Mercedes and Ferrari then I suppose it’s a possibility, but a pretty remote one IMHO.
Gary29 said:
At the front? Can't see it myself, maybe a strong 4th behind the Mac, Fer and RB, pushing for podiums. I like Lance, but I don't think he's the driver they need, and ditto for Fernando. Even with the best car on the grid I think either of those drivers would struggle to achieve the consistency to deliver a WDC now. Unless their difference in performance is like Brawn in 2009 I just can't see it.
I can't see Red Bull at the front next year with a brand new engine. The car will still be good but making your own engine when F1 has it's most complex power unit ever isn't going to be an easy task Bright Halo said:
What do you all think of Aston Martin s chance of being at the front for 2026 now they have the genius that is Adrian Newey penning the design?
In theory they should be absolutely at the front. Why:1) Adrian Newey
2) Latest and most up to date factory
3) Latest and most up to date wind tunnel
4) Latest and most up to date simulator
5) Works Honda powertrain
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Something else I can't remember
But, I just can't see it happening somehow and I can't put my finger on why.
Sandpit Steve said:
If Honda totally nails the powertrain vs Mercedes and Ferrari then I suppose it s a possibility, but a pretty remote one IMHO.
I fear the new rules have created another engine formula. Are we back to the days of the early turbo-hybrid era where you could separate the standings by engine manufacturer? They have as good a chance as anybody of nailing the new regs, but equally as good a chance of stuffing them up.
It's not just about building a good car and building a good engine. The two need to be designed to work together, more than ever. I was reading something the other day that said the biggest problem the designers face is not knowing what the targets are, as they are developing so fast because everything is new. For any given power level there is an optimum downforce/drag for the best lap time, but engine/battery development level is unknown and constantly changing, so the chassis designers don't know what level of downforce/drag they need to target to make the best use of whatever PU performance they end up with next year.
We've already heard from Pirelli that the teams are giving them wildly different downforce projections for next year. Who knows? The teams themselves don't, yet.
It's not just about building a good car and building a good engine. The two need to be designed to work together, more than ever. I was reading something the other day that said the biggest problem the designers face is not knowing what the targets are, as they are developing so fast because everything is new. For any given power level there is an optimum downforce/drag for the best lap time, but engine/battery development level is unknown and constantly changing, so the chassis designers don't know what level of downforce/drag they need to target to make the best use of whatever PU performance they end up with next year.
We've already heard from Pirelli that the teams are giving them wildly different downforce projections for next year. Who knows? The teams themselves don't, yet.
Megaflow said:
Bright Halo said:
What do you all think of Aston Martin s chance of being at the front for 2026 now they have the genius that is Adrian Newey penning the design?
In theory they should be absolutely at the front. Why:1) Adrian Newey
2) Latest and most up to date factory
3) Latest and most up to date wind tunnel
4) Latest and most up to date simulator
5) Works Honda powertrain
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Something else I can't remember
But, I just can't see it happening somehow and I can't put my finger on why.
hondajack85 said:
Megaflow said:
Bright Halo said:
What do you all think of Aston Martin s chance of being at the front for 2026 now they have the genius that is Adrian Newey penning the design?
In theory they should be absolutely at the front. Why:1) Adrian Newey
2) Latest and most up to date factory
3) Latest and most up to date wind tunnel
4) Latest and most up to date simulator
5) Works Honda powertrain
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Something else I can't remember
But, I just can't see it happening somehow and I can't put my finger on why.
t if the results do not come in a year. He does not strike me as a pleasant man to work for.My gut feeling is that there will be less difference between the aerodynamic performance of the cars than the power characteristics and reliability of the power units. Or at least that the aerodynamic gaps will close far more quickly than the PU ones. If Honda really ace the power unit, I think there's every chance of AM being right at the front but it might be despite, rather than because of, the rest of the package.
Car-wise, sure, they can be near the top, why not?
Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
Siao said:
Car-wise, sure, they can be near the top, why not?
Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
Or maybe the car is so dominant that Lance can win the WDC, this being Lawrence's stated aim?Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
carl_w said:
Siao said:
Car-wise, sure, they can be near the top, why not?
Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
Or maybe the car is so dominant that Lance can win the WDC, this being Lawrence's stated aim?Driver-wise, not so much. If they keep a geriatric driver and a guy that will be in his 10th year (don't ask how) and has worse driving skills than a rookie (or broccoli thinking about it), then I doubt it. Maybe a wild podium. Or maybe Alonso will finally be inspired by the rocket-ship that was landed on his lap and perform miracles in his final year in F1. Go out with a bang (title I mean, not engine go bang-bang). I wouldn't mind that at all!
Siao said:
I can quietly put a £5 for Lance WDC 2026 first! I can spare a fiver for Lance. But against a WDC campaign Alonso? No chance, other than sabotaging him.
Agreed. If Aston Martin put together a car capable of winning a WDC then I can't see it going to Lance's side of the garage.Megaflow said:
In theory they should be absolutely at the front. Why:
1) Adrian Newey
2) Latest and most up to date factory
3) Latest and most up to date wind tunnel
4) Latest and most up to date simulator
5) Works Honda powertrain
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Something else I can't remember
But, I just can't see it happening somehow and I can't put my finger on why.
Let me help you,1) Adrian Newey
2) Latest and most up to date factory
3) Latest and most up to date wind tunnel
4) Latest and most up to date simulator
5) Works Honda powertrain
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Something else I can't remember
But, I just can't see it happening somehow and I can't put my finger on why.
Lack of experienced minions, lack of experienced minions that have recent experience working in the ways that a top 3 team work, lock of time for the few experienced minions to work well together, experienced minions being shown the door
AMF1 can have the shiniest building, newest sim, best wind tunnel but without enough of the right people all pushing together in the right direction there is no way they'll bother McLaren, RB, Merc, Ferrari
5th at best unless Newey exploits loopholes other teams miss
Hopefully. I mean, Alonso '05, '06, '26, '27 would definitely be an eyebrow raiser for future generations looking back.
Will it though... Who knows. Just as the cars get close enough for the drivers to truly make a difference we have a massive technical reset, and I'm fully expecting 2014 type dominance from one team who got it right.
Will it though... Who knows. Just as the cars get close enough for the drivers to truly make a difference we have a massive technical reset, and I'm fully expecting 2014 type dominance from one team who got it right.
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