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Time of India
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
'Enjoying the new wind tunnel': Aston Martin's Andy Cowell optimistic as new Silverstone wind tunnel fuels team hopes of F1 resurgence
Andy Cowell (via Getty Images) Aston Martin's Formula 1 aspirations are being given a lift by its brand-new Silverstone wind tunnel . The British team, struggling with a difficult beginning to the 2025 season, now hopes that its in-house, cutting-edge facility will assist in revolutionising the performance of the AMR25 and speed up development for the 2026 car under new regulations. Team principal Andy Cowell claimed that they are 'enjoying the new tool'. Aston Martin targets F1 return with Silverstone wind tunnel breakthrough Aston Martin's new wind tunnel went fully operational in mid-March, a key milestone in the team's ambitious infrastructure growth. In an interview with team principal Andy Cowell highlighted how the Silverstone facility is giving the team a 'clearer' and 'more representative' picture of their aerodynamic performance than the old setup at Mercedes' Brackley headquarters. 'We've transitioned to this tunnel, and there's hardware coming through that we'll see at the circuit in the coming races,' Andy Cowell said. 'They'll never tell you exactly the same, but we are enjoying the new wind tunnel. It's opened our eyes to a few characteristics. Then you've got to do the work. If you've got a new test facility that gives you a clearer view, a more representative view, you've got to then do aero development work. You've got to change shapes, make parts, understand, and then make full-size components to bring to the circuit and measure in this complex environment. We're in that process, enjoying the new tool, and look forward to making a faster race car with it.' Nevertheless, Andy Cowell acknowledged that changes in test venues have downsides. The AMR25 was initially conceived in a different wind tunnel, and the new data calls for realignment. Still, the Silverstone plant will be highly contributory to Aston Martin's efforts to rise again into contention, both in terms of this year's competition and building up the 2026 challenger. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Problems on the track call for improvements The 2025 Formula 1 season has been unkind to Aston Martin up to this point. The team lies seventh in the constructors' championship after five events. Lance Stroll displayed early promise with a total of 10 points through the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix but has been unable to escape Q1 in the recent qualifying sessions. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, has yet to score a point this year, with his best finishes being a pair of 11th places. Andy Cowell did not shy away from the team's struggles. He explained that the intricacy of Formula 1—from aerodynamics to tyre behaviour—makes a comeback extremely difficult. Still, he has hope, considering many performance challenges can still be sorted out during the ongoing rules cycle. Also read: Adrian Newey's iconic drawing board reaches Aston Martin ahead of his joining, confirms Andy Cowell While Aston Martin's 2025 Formula 1 season has not been perfect by any means, the opening of the Silverstone wind tunnel represents a major watershed. With a sharper understanding and a more sophisticated facility now entirely online, the team is committed to translating lessons into performance gains. As they continue with updates and future development, Aston Martin is looking to soon return to the sharp end of the grid, equipped with both ambition and the appropriate tools for the task.
Gulf Today
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Ferrari's Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese Grand Prix sprint
A 'gobsmacked' Lewis Hamilton obliterated the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint in only his second race weekend with Ferrari. Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec. His lap easily beat the 1:32.238 set in 2004 at the inaugural Chinese GP by fellow seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, also in a Ferrari. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who won both the sprint and main race in China last year, was second fastest 0.018sec behind and McLaren's Oscar Piastri was third. Charles Leclerc was fourth as Ferrari showed a big improvement from Melbourne, where Hamilton was 10th and Leclerc eighth -- the Scuderia's worst season-opening performance since 2009. 'I'm just a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it. I didn't know when we would get to this position,' said Hamilton, who emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Chinese fans. 'I started out straight away with a better feeling in the car. I can't believe we are at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so fast throughout winter testing, Australia and even today.' A big surprise was Melbourne winner Lando Norris, whose McLaren had been fastest by almost half a second in morning practice ahead of Leclerc, Piastri and Hamilton. Norris was sixth after he ran wide and aborted his final flying lap. 'I made a mistake. I locked up in the last corner,' admitted Norris, who complained his car was not to his liking. 'Just too many mistakes but just too difficult of a car to drive,' the Englishman said. Verstappen said he was fortunate to be second on the grid for the sprint race. 'The lap was very good. I don't even think we should have been on the front row anyway so I'm very happy to be second,' said the four-time world champion. Mercedes' George Russell was fifth with his teammate Kimi Antonelli seventh behind Norris. Yuki Tsunoda's RB, Alex Albon's Williams and Lance Stroll's Aston Martin rounded out the top 10. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said it was difficult to understand the difference between Friday's sessions. Agence France-Presse
Daily Tribune
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Ferrari's Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese GP sprint
Lewis Hamilton broke the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race as Ferrari bounced back from a torrid season-opener in style on Friday. Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec in only his second race weekend with Ferrari. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was second 0.018sec behind and McLaren's Oscar Piastri third. Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari, Mercedes' George Russell was fifth, with early championship leader Lando Norris only sixth after he aborted his final flying lap in his McLaren. Hamilton emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Shanghai fans. "I'm a bit in shock," said the seven-time world champion from Britain, who was only 10th on his Ferrari debut at the season-opening race in Melbourne. "I can't believe we get a pole for the sprint. It puts us in good stead for the race." Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes, Yuki Tsunoda's RB, Alex Albon's Williams and Lance Stroll's Aston Martin rounded out the top 10. All the cars were obligated to run medium-compound tyres in the first two sprint qualifying sessions, termed SQ1 and SQ2. Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson had a bad start to his weekend, failing to get out of the first session after having a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits and the New Zealander will start 20th and last. Also eliminated after the first session were the Alpine pair of Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly, Haas's Esteban Ocon and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg. In SQ2, Fernando Alonso was 11th in the Aston Martin and missed out on the top-10 shootout. Also eliminated were Oliver Bearman's Haas, the Williams of Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto in a Sauber and Isack Hadjar's RB. The 19-lap sprint race will take place on Saturday morning before grand prix qualifying later the same day. Sunday sees the Chinese Grand Prix over 56 laps.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Gobsmacked' Hamilton smashes Shanghai lap record for first Ferrari pole
A "gobsmacked" Lewis Hamilton obliterated the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint in only his second race weekend with Ferrari. Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec. His lap easily beat the 1:32.238 set in 2004 at the inaugural Chinese GP by fellow seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, also in a Ferrari. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who won both the sprint and main race in China last year, was second fastest 0.018sec behind and McLaren's Oscar Piastri was third. Charles Leclerc was fourth as Ferrari showed a big improvement from Melbourne, where Hamilton was 10th and Leclerc eighth -- the Scuderia's worst season-opening performance since 2009. "I'm just a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it. I didn't know when we would get to this position," said Hamilton, who emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Chinese fans. "I started out straight away with a better feeling in the car. I can't believe we are at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so fast throughout winter testing, Australia and even today." - Norris surprise - A big surprise was Melbourne winner Lando Norris, whose McLaren had been fastest by almost half a second in morning practice ahead of Leclerc, Piastri and Hamilton. Norris was sixth after he ran wide and aborted his final flying lap. "I made a mistake. I locked up in the last corner," admitted Norris, who complained his car was not to his liking. "Just too many mistakes but just too difficult of a car to drive," the Englishman said. Verstappen said he was fortunate to be second on the grid for the sprint race. "The lap was very good. I don't even think we should have been on the front row anyway so I'm very happy to be second," said the four-time world champion. Mercedes' George Russell was fifth with his teammate Kimi Antonelli seventh behind Norris. Yuki Tsunoda's RB, Alex Albon's Williams and Lance Stroll's Aston Martin rounded out the top 10. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said it was difficult to understand the difference between Friday's sessions. "Sometimes McLaren had a huge gap, sometimes not so. Let's analyse it. We have a lot of work to do," Vasseur told Sky Sports F1. "For sure it's a good feeling and gives a positive energy to the team and Lewis, but I always see the negative side." All the cars were obligated to run medium-compound tyres in the first two sprint qualifying sessions, termed SQ1 and SQ2. Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson had a bad start to his weekend, failing to get out of the first session after having a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits and the New Zealander will start 20th and last. Also eliminated after the first session were the Alpine pair of Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly, Haas's Esteban Ocon and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg. In SQ2, Fernando Alonso was 11th in the Aston Martin and missed out on the top-10 shootout. Also eliminated were Oliver Bearman's Haas, the Williams of Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto in a Sauber and Isack Hadjar's RB. The 19-lap sprint race will take place on Saturday morning before grand prix qualifying later the same day. Sunday sees the Chinese Grand Prix over 56 laps. dh/pst
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ferrari's Hamilton takes stunning pole for Chinese GP sprint
Lewis Hamilton broke the Shanghai lap record to take a stunning pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race as Ferrari bounced back from a torrid season-opener in style on Friday. Hamilton, who has won a record six Chinese Grands Prix, flew round the resurfaced 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit in 1min 30.849sec in only his second race weekend with Ferrari. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull was second 0.018sec behind and McLaren's Oscar Piastri third. Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari, Mercedes' George Russell was fifth, with early championship leader Lando Norris only sixth after he aborted his final flying lap in his McLaren. Hamilton emerged from his car to a huge ovation from the Shanghai fans. "I'm a bit in shock," said the seven-time world champion from Britain, who was only 10th on his Ferrari debut at the season-opening race in Melbourne. "I can't believe we get a pole for the sprint. It puts us in good stead for the race." Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes, Yuki Tsunoda's RB, Alex Albon's Williams and Lance Stroll's Aston Martin rounded out the top 10. All the cars were obligated to run medium-compound tyres in the first two sprint qualifying sessions, termed SQ1 and SQ2. Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson had a bad start to his weekend, failing to get out of the first session after having a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits and the New Zealander will start 20th and last. Also eliminated after the first session were the Alpine pair of Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly, Haas's Esteban Ocon and the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg. In SQ2, Fernando Alonso was 11th in the Aston Martin and missed out on the top-10 shootout. Also eliminated were Oliver Bearman's Haas, the Williams of Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto in a Sauber and Isack Hadjar's RB. The 19-lap sprint race will take place on Saturday morning before grand prix qualifying later the same day. Sunday sees the Chinese Grand Prix over 56 laps. dh/pst
