It took the AMR26 very little to capture the curiosity of enthusiasts and professionals. The three laps completed yesterday on the Barcelona circuit were enough to immortalize it in the first photos, which immediately ended up under the magnifying glass of the most attentive observers. While waiting for the verdicts of the opposing technicians and, obviously, of the track, there is a story that took center stage in the Montmelò paddock yesterday afternoon. A fun little backstory worth telling.
At the Silverstone headquarters, Aston Martin technicians worked overtime (even at night) to allow the single-seater to arrive in Barcelona on time and complete at least one day of testing.
The Aston Martin crate unloaded from the Antonov at Girona airport
Photo: Sammy Gould
At the Silverstone venue the green light went off in the early hours of yesterday morning, and the team’s logistics team had to quickly organize transport between the nearest international airport, Birmingham, and the Spanish airport of Girona, the most convenient for quickly reaching the circuit.
However, there was one detail that was not negligible: finding a plane capable of containing the large crate with the single-seater inside. The first available slot was offered by Cavok Air, a Ukrainian cargo company. The plane made available? A 1972 Antonov An-12BP. Yes, that’s right: a four-engine propeller plane built over half a century ago.
The veteran of the skies thus embarked on the “jewel” designed by Adrian Newey, completing the mission without the slightest problem. In the paddock, naturally, there was no shortage of jokes: a museum piece responsible for transporting one of the most advanced projects of current Formula 1. “But would Newey have been aware?”, joked some insiders.
In the end, however, it was certainly not the glorious Antonov with his fifty-four years of service who created delays in Aston Martin’s schedule: the flight between the West Midlands and Catalonia was completed in less than three hours, finding enthusiasts waiting for him at his destination who immortalized his arrival by posting photos on social media. Vintage technology has done its duty…
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