Months ago, Adrian Newey surprised the paddock by choosing to join Aston Martin Aramco, turning down—for now, at least—a collaboration with a legendary team like Ferrari. A detail from his interview in the UNDERCUT series sheds light on one of the reasons behind this decision: Aston Martin’s vision and focus on the conscious use of simulation tools and the wind tunnel.
In his direct style, Adrian Newey stated: “You can have the best wind tunnel in the world or the best simulator, but if you don’t have the right correlation between the models—aerodynamics, tyres, and dynamics—then they’re useless. All of this requires time, dedication, and method.”
Why didn’t Adrian Newey choose Ferrari? The real value is the method
Words that sound like a warning for those like Ferrari, which has often had to deal with a wind tunnel that hasn’t always been optimal, and with correlation problems between simulated data and real on-track behavior. “A modern F1 car is a very complicated creature. It’s physically complex simply due to the enormous number of components—but that complexity is multiplied by the amount of simulation needed to develop it,” Adrian Newey explains.
The Maranello team can count on a massive infrastructure, one of the highest budgets on the grid, and an unparalleled history. But for Adrian Newey, facilities and names aren’t enough: a team needs to work efficiently, methodically, and with a cohesive technical philosophy.
Aston Martin, for its part, has invested in the construction of the AMR Technology Campus, which features the most advanced wind tunnel in F1. “F1 teams are increasingly dependent on simulation tools: computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnels, and the correlation between the real car on track and these tools. It’s a field that demands a lot of development.”
In 2026, there will be a regulatory revolution, with new rules on chassis and power units. Those who can adapt best by fully exploiting the tools available will gain a crucial advantage. Adrian Newey knows this and has chosen the environment that—in his view—best allows him to work effectively, methodically, and with freedom. For Ferrari, the message is clear: without an integrated development system, talent alone is not enough.
