The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team has been aggressively renewing its infrastructure since it was bought by deep-pocketed Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll in 2021.

Referred to as “Team Silverstone” in reference to the headquarters adjacent to the track that hosts the British Grand Prix, the previous facility was built by Jordan Grand Prix racing in the ‘90s.

To compete with today’s front-running F1 teams, Aston Martin needed newer, better tools, including a new wind tunnel and a new simulator. The team provided some insight into the upgrades with these answers from Aston Martin Aramco Team Principal Mike Krack.

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team principal Mike Krack (left, with headset around his neck) with the team's crew. ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO FORMULA ONE TEAM

Q: The new wind tunnel and simulator at the AMR Technology Campus are scheduled to come online soon. How will they make a difference?

Mike Krack: There is potential for the new simulator and wind tunnel to change the game. The Mercedes wind tunnel in Brackley (UK) that we currently use is excellent but having your own tunnel on site takes things to another level – more so when that tunnel is going to be the most technically advanced and represent a new benchmark.

Q: Why is this a game-changer?

Mike Krack: Because it gives you more flexibility. At the moment, we have to execute our wind tunnel runs one after the other. If we have a failure with the model or a reliability issue, we lose the runs. The aerodynamic testing restrictions under which F1 works make those runs a finite commodity and very precious.

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Having our own tunnel will de-stress the operation – but also allow our aerodynamicists more capacity to be creative. Everything will be so close: the model shop is right next to the tunnel. We can stop a run, wait an hour or two while new parts are produced, and go again."

Q: When will the team start to see the benefits?

Mike Krack: Commissioning a wind tunnel is a job for specialists, and we’re lucky to have a very passionate team doing that work. There are some great leaders in that group. They don’t get the attention that’s afforded the drivers, senior management or the design team – but they’re probably under even more pressure, and cope with it calmly and lead their teams exceptionally well.

Q: How soon will this translate into better performance at the track?

Mike Krack: We won’t begin seeing results the moment the tunnel goes live. Like any new tool, you need to learn how to use it properly. It’s not a case of turning it on and instantly getting better results or greater fidelity. The first goal is to replicate the consistency and quality we get in our current tunnel. The target is to be at least as good as that. On its own, that isn’t easy because that tunnel has been developing for 20 years. After that, we need to develop and keep developing. 

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Aston Martin's new home sim rig for racing fans. ASTON MARTIN

Q: What can you tell us about the team’s new simulator?

Mike Krack: That’s also been a huge undertaking, with a dedicated team pouring all of their experience into making it best-in-class. Like the wind tunnel, I go over to talk to everyone in an effort to increase my own understanding, and the simulator is just amazing. It’s going to improve our fidelity, improve the whole feedback loop the driver will have. I’ve seen a demonstration and I was absolutely blown away. It felt like being in "Star Wars."

Speaking of simulators, Aston is ready to let the rest of us, um, simulate that we’re using their new simulator. The company is offering a racing sim rig styled like the team’s race cars. While the team has previously offered simulators, this new one differentiates itself by providing motion feedback.

It includes haptic actuators, a front pivot configuration, and haptic rumble feedback. The team promises that this advancement offers gamers and racers true the motion of a real F1 car accurately emulated from the moment they climb into the cockpit. The purchase will make your wallet $131,000 thinner, so you might not even have to remove it from your pocket to drive the sim!

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