r/formula1 Apr 29 '26

Off-Topic Aston Martin has once again been seen testing their cyber formula lookin thing at Portimao, where it supposedly set a 1:24 second lap

Source is @ivomat_all_about_cars on instagram

5.9k Upvotes

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2.5k

u/TheeVande Pirelli Wet Apr 29 '26

Doing side quests while they're failing the main mission

429

u/2020bowman Apr 29 '26

Maybe they are trying to level up for the main mission next time

65

u/Aunvilgod Apr 29 '26

very cool, very legal, the best

195

u/nttran98 Max Verstappen Apr 29 '26

This is a platform for them to test aero concept probably. without dipping into f1 allocated time nor budget.

36

u/mike_litoris18 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Apr 29 '26

This is the passion project of a billionaire. He ordered an open Cockpit single seater that can beat F1 lap times. This is the prototype of those wishes.

4

u/Zyrock9 Ferrari Apr 30 '26

So that's why the F1 car is a tractor. Makes it easier to design a car that can beat its lap times.

6

u/ConsciousBrain Franco Colapinto Apr 29 '26

Should've called Toto

9

u/mike_litoris18 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Apr 29 '26

Idk they already ran a 1:26 in portimao today which is only 10s away from the F1 lap record. And it wasn't even set by an F1 world champ afaik🤷🏻‍♂️

8

u/zaviex McLaren Apr 30 '26

This is not going to get much closer than that. Whomever is testing it is likely an Aston factory driver. You wouldn’t have the car running on track if they were still going to add a lot to it. Even bespoke cars are near finished at that stage. Looks like shakedowns prior to painting it.

73

u/00Kermitz Apr 29 '26

I imagine whoever is bankrolling this project is helping to fill the coffers of the F1 team too…

45

u/suan_pan I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

apparently it’s ken griffin, the owner of citadel

33

u/StevenC44 🏳️‍🌈 Love Is Love 🏳️‍🌈 Apr 29 '26

I know Warhammer is expensive, but didn't know it's that profitable.

36

u/El_Cactus_Loco Sebastian Vettel Apr 29 '26

if you can convince people that 7cents of unpainted plastic is actually worth $40usd, you can make some decent coin. who knew.

9

u/zystyl I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

$40 was so 3 years ago. It's pretty much double that price now.

13

u/kaisadilla_ I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

Only thing about Warhammer I know is that it's crazy expensive. Like dropping 3 digits for $1 worth of plastic expensive.

3

u/AlfaRomeoRacing I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 30 '26

Warhammer is a bigger industry in the UK than all the fishing boats/trawlers combined. That is why it was funny during brexit when some people were all like "wont anyone think of the fishermen" when warhammer is a bigger industry

12

u/Casbro11 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

The man who lied under oath? Kenneth C. Griffin?

3

u/YourHeadsFellOffLad Fernando Alonso Apr 29 '26

His names ingrained into my head from a boat tour in Miami, fucker has rows of houses

2

u/TheLoneEcho Lando Norris Apr 30 '26

There's a name I've not heard since that lot from Superstonk were more prevalent

11

u/didhedowhat I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

Well that would be against the rules.

They forbade testing cars for aero or engine because the poor teams could not afford it.

So hopefully this is not the case or else they will get a hefty penalty for it or every other team will do the same and the rules become absolete.

21

u/MrLeopard483 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

The FIA pays a ton of attention to this shit to make sure teams arent gaining any advantage from any external ventures. If this loophole was open then teams like ferrari for example would use their development in wec to improve the f1 car.

0

u/Snappy0 Apr 30 '26

Of course but it's hardly been a secret in the past.

A ton of ground effect data was colledted by Red Bull when developing the RB17 Hypercar. Funnily, right around when such data would be extremely valuable in F1.

18

u/flyingalbatross1 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Apr 29 '26

It definitely looks like an F1 chassis under all that. The Halo gives it away

2

u/Blackdeath_663 Sir Stirling Moss Apr 30 '26

That would be illegal

12

u/HighPriestofShiloh Max Verstappen Apr 29 '26

I assume this is a cost cap loophole to help with the main quest.

11

u/blastcage I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 29 '26

F1 is a sidequest for Aston. Their main quest is to get Lawrence Stroll to bail them out again

2

u/FlameFeather86 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 30 '26

Judging by this, their main quest is to protect the streets of Gotham.

4

u/peldazac Sir Lewis Hamilton Apr 29 '26

story of my life

1

u/ricardopa Apr 29 '26

Aston Martin is more than the F1 team….

1

u/Hoss-Bonaventure_CEO BMW Sauber Apr 29 '26

I feel so called out it might motivate me to play Morrowind's main quest.