"Rapidity is key" - exploring Arm and Aston Martin's collaborative wind tunnel project, poised to unlock a fresh chapter of triumph
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, every small advantage counts. Aston Martin, a team with a rich racing heritage, is leveraging technology to stay ahead of the pack, thanks to a partnership with Arm, a leading compute solutions provider.
Arm's focus is on delivering high-quality data and making the process as seamless as possible, with a focus on removing friction from the software ecosystem. This approach is crucial in Formula One, where small changes in car design can significantly affect race performance.
Aston Martin's wind tunnel, a state-of-the-art CoreWeave facility, is equipped with a scaled model of the car, packed with over a thousand miniature sensors embedded in its body. These sensors stream real-time data back to engineers, where Arm-powered compute rapidly filters and processes the signals to deliver high-fidelity aerodynamic insights.
This real-time data technology allows the team to efficiently analyze wind flow and car aerodynamics by testing various configurations and modifications to body parts. The comprehensive sensor data platform supported by Arm's compute infrastructure ensures faster, more accurate aerodynamic optimizations, helping engineers validate upgrades earlier and make smarter development decisions.
By enabling real-time edge AI inference and processing, Arm's technology maximizes the value of every wind tunnel session, accelerating the cycle from concept design to on-track performance. This partnership provides the critical compute power and sensor data technology that converts vast real-time wind tunnel data into actionable aerodynamic improvements, streamlining aerodynamic development and enhancing Aston Martin's F1 performance capabilities.
Aston Martin's engineers analyze the wind flow and aerodynamics of the car, making changes to see how these affect the air flow. With the addition of aerodynamics expert Adrian Newey, who has designed 12 constructor's championship-winning cars, Aston Martin is well-positioned to capitalize on these advancements.
The upcoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations represent a significant opportunity for Aston Martin, with a focus on engine power and electrical energy, as well as changes to aerodynamics. Arm, with its claim to be the industry's most power-efficient and highest-performing compute platform with unmatched scalability, is poised to continue powering Aston Martin's success in the face of these challenges.
Aston Martin fans eagerly await the new season, where they'll benefit from Newey's expertise, the use of its own wind tunnel, and the valuable data it can collect. Having its own wind tunnel allows Aston Martin to set up and optimize the facility exactly as they want, further enhancing their competitive edge.
As McLaren F1 tells us, winning a world championship means constantly evolving and improving its technology stack, as standing still in Formula 1 means going backwards. With Arm as its official AI compute platform partner, Aston Martin is well on its way to staying ahead of the pack.
- Aston Martin, with Adrian Newey's expertise, the use of its own wind tunnel, and the real-time data technology from Arm, is positioning itself to capitalize on the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations, aiming to maintain its competitive edge in the face of changes in engine power, electrical energy, and aerodynamics.
- In the data-and-cloud-computing realm, Arm's technology, with its focus on high-quality data processing and edge AI inference, is proving instrumental in sports like Formula One, ensuring faster, more accurate aerodynamic optimizations, a crucial advantage for teams like Aston Martin.
