Adrian Newey has already made one change behind the scenes at Aston Martin which ‘cannot be quantified’

Aston Martin are currently in a particularly difficult spot after nearly two years of gradual decline.

When Fernando Alonso first joined Aston Martin at the beginning of the 2023 season, he was immediately challenging both Red Bull drivers for podiums.

While he couldn’t end his decade-long wait for an F1 win, he finished in the top three on eight occasions, helping Aston Martin finish fourth in the constructors’ championship.

However, signs were already emerging that the team didn’t understand how to make the car any faster.

Alonso got increasingly frustrated last year, and his teammate Lance Stroll went on an 11-race run without a point at the end of the 2024 campaign.

Stroll has since scored 14 points this year for Aston Martin, but Alonso is one of four drivers still yet to get off the mark.

Their attention has already turned to the new regulations being introduced in 2026, and Aston Martin have a new advantage in the form of Adrian Newey.

Team principal Andy Cowell has admitted that Newey’s sole focus is on Aston Martin’s 2026 car, but team representative Pedro de la Rosa has noticed a more immediate impact that the genius designer has made at the team’s Silverstone factory.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Adrian Newey ‘internally’ changing Aston Martin already after signing from Red Bull

De La Rosa took part in an interview with F1sport.auto.cz and was asked about what Newey is currently doing behind the scenes at the team after recently joining from Red Bull.

The Spaniard explained, “Adrian has a huge influence not only because he is the most talented aerodynamicist to ever be in Formula 1, but also because having him on the team brings inspiration to others.

“Everyone wants to work with Adrian and everyone wants to understand how he works.

“Just by being with us, he changes the team internally, which is something that cannot be quantified. It’s not just about the knowledge that Adrian brings, but also the emotional and inspirational side.

“Adrian is a big name to join the team, but he is not the only one. Moreover, we should not underestimate the huge amount of talent we already had in the team.”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey

Fernando Alonso tells Aston Martin they need a ‘miracle’ after tough start to 2025

Formula 1 is entering the final year of the current regulations, meaning the grid has converged to the point where being a few tenths off the pace is a disaster.

Alonso only reached Q3 for the first time this season in Miami and both Aston Martin drivers were the final classified runners at the end of last Sunday’s race.

Earlier this season, Alonso suggested Aston Martin needed a miracle to be competitive again and that’s where Newey comes in.

If De La Rosa is right, and Newey has already lifted the team around him, then they have a chance, and the introduction of Honda power units and the likes of Enrico Cardile will help as well.

But Newey has previously warned his first cars with a new team aren’t always the best, and given Alonso’s current contract runs out at the end of 2026, he can’t afford for Aston Martin to not be immediately up to speed next season.