Aston Martin and Red Bull Invest in New Wind Tunnels for GT and Formula 1 Success

In the dynamic world of GT and Formula 1 motorsports, Aston Martin and Red Bull have both made significant investments in state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities to gain a competitive edge.

Both teams have access to world-class wind tunnel technology, having produced some exceptional machinery in recent years. However, the decision to build new wind tunnels is a calculated risk, as a new facility does not guarantee improved performance. Retrofitting existing wind tunnels with updated equipment can be a more cost-effective solution, but as these facilities age, the maintenance costs can quickly become exponential.

Aston Martin’s Wind Tunnel Ambitions

Aston Martin’s decision to build its own wind tunnel is driven by a desire to stand on its own two feet, rather than relying on Mercedes’ tunnel since 2019. The team’s under-construction tunnel also played a key role in attracting legendary designer Adrian Newey.

Red Bull’s Aerodynamics Modernization

For Red Bull, a new tunnel is part of a broader effort to modernize their aerodynamics program, as their Bedford facility – described as a “Cold War relic” by team boss Christian Horner – has been constantly evolving to keep up with the latest technology.

“It’s great having state-of-the-art kit, but if it’s only used to a tenth of its capacity, it’s not being used effectively.” – Jean-Claude Migeot, ex-Formula 1 designer and aerodynamicist

According to ex-Formula 1 designer and aerodynamicist Jean-Claude Migeot, the current regulations have placed a greater emphasis on having dynamic testing capabilities in the wind tunnel. This is something that cannot be achieved with a standard setup of force monitors and a rolling road. The recent issues with porpoising and bouncing have highlighted the importance of having wind tunnels that can accurately simulate these high-speed instabilities.

The investment in a new wind tunnel is a significant undertaking, as the commissioning and calibration phases can be time-consuming. Migeot notes that even with two identical tunnels, they can produce very different data sets, underscoring the importance of correlation between the new facility and the team’s existing data.

Ultimately, the success of Aston Martin’s and Red Bull’s wind tunnel investments will depend on the teams’ ability to fully utilize the new capabilities and interpret the data correctly. If they get it right, the perceived boost of a new wind tunnel will certainly become more tangible than just hot air.

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