Aston Martin’s addition of Adrian Newey was one of the biggest storylines of the 2024 Formula 1 season, and now it’s happening in real-time.
The legendary designer attended his first race with the team at the Monaco Grand Prix last month, after spending a lot of his time at their factory, working on next year’s car. It’s a critical time for Aston Martin, as the due date for a lot of their key decisions approaches for next year.
It’s nothing Newey hasn’t dealt with before during his time at Red Bull, though, and he’s ready to translate his ideas on pencil and paper to the racetrack. His team have lofty ambitions to win drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the future, and he’s a big part of those plans.
Despite his background, Max Verstappen has ‘big questions’ about Newey, which may be preventing him from making a move to Aston Martin for 2026. He doubts whether he will have that much of an effect on their car for next year, given how little time he has before key decisions are made.
Even though he’s been there just a few months, Newey has already spotted issues at Aston Martin and has set about rectifying them. He wants to make sure that all the infrastructure required for success is in place so that they can be serious contenders from next year.
READ MORE: Fernando Alonso shares what Adrian Newey is doing at Aston Martin that’s ‘unlike anything’ he’s seen in F1 before
Andy Cowell reveals that ‘wonderful’ thing Adrian Newey has done at Aston Martin
The idea that Newey was going to arrive at Aston Martin and start making all the big decisions couldn’t have been further from the truth. After a winter management restructure, the team’s new boss, Andy Cowell, is their CEO and team principal. At the end of the day, he’s responsible for results.
The ex-Mercedes engine guru has worked with Newey once before in 2004, just before he left McLaren for Red Bull. So far, their new partnership seems to have started on a positive note, with Newey bringing his ‘magic wand’ to Aston Martin.
Speaking to James Allen, Cowell revealed how Newey has actually been helping the team learn more and understand his ideas since his arrival. Something that will benefit everyone in the factory from an understanding point of view.
“The key architectural decisions for the 26′ car, a lot of that, we need to make those decisions right now in order to have a car, any car for the start of 26′,” he said.
“He’s been into that detail and everybody has got admiration for his track record. But the way he presents an area is wonderful. He’s creating a drawing on a drawing board, he’s discussing it with engineers, typically on a one-on-one basis to get views and opinions.
“He’s presenting and explaining what and why. It’s not a dictate, a sort of, this is my way. It’s very much a, ‘well I’ve come up with this.’”
READ MORE: Adrian Newey may be feeling the pressure from Lawrence Stroll after publicly changing his tune on son Lance
Are Aston Martin going to be F1 title contenders in 2026?
Aston Martin have all the experience they could ever want in the form of Cowell, Newey and Fernando Alonso behind the wheel.
Leading from the front straight away is going to be a tough task, but Alonso has been around for many title charges. He knows how to push development, but doing so with a new set of regulations will be a fresh challenge.
Cowell is keen to avoid one thing with Newey and wants to ensure that the team remain able to make their own decisions.
It’s important that they don’t become too focused or reliant on one person. Long-term, sustainable success is going to come from a team effort, and they’re very aware of it.
Leave feedback about this