Alonso: Aston will need 'a couple of years' to maximise new factory

Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin will need "a couple of years" to leverage the benefits of its new Silverstone state-of-the-art factory.

Aston inaugurated ahead of the British Grand Prix the first of three purpose-built buildings that will form its new campus at Silverstone.

The new unit, which houses the team's design, manufacturing, and marketing departments, now serves as the outfit's primary hub for its growing workforce.

Aston Martin's new wind tunnel will come online next year while plans are underway to replace the original factory building, erected by Jordan Grand Prix back to 1992, with a modernized facility that will accommodate staff amenities and a logistics center.

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Upon his inaugural visit to Aston's new headquarters, a highly impressed Alonso called the facility a "game changer". But the Spaniard reckons it will take two years before the team will be able to fully exploit its new tool.

"It was fascinating to see the facilities, the people there in the same room, manufacturing our own parts of the car," commented the two-time F1 world champion.

"Until now, third parties were making our car, our chassis and everything. It’s a step forward. But I think we will need a couple of years to settle everything down and to maximise the potential.

"Obviously, it shows the ambition of Aston Martin, and we have to be proud."

©AstonMartin

Settling into a new factory isn't an overnight process. Asked at Silverstone how long it would take for the team to find its marks in its new facility, Aston team boss said that he expected everyone to "immediately" pick up where they left off in the wake of the move.

"I would be lying if I gave a number, how many weeks or how many months," he said, quoted by Speedcafe.

"The time we have is zero, basically. We have to get into it immediately. The move should never serve as an excuse.

"We knew we had to move once we took this decision, and we have to be the best with it, without looking for excuses."

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