Damon Hill explains how Adrian Newey has brought ‘magic wand’ to Monaco for Aston Martin

Adrian Newey has been spotted for the first time in the Formula 1 paddock since he left Red Bull last summerduring the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.

The legendary designer was seen in Aston Martin’s green uniform in the paddock, where he was conducting rounds of media interviews building up to the weekend.

Newey left Red Bull midway through the 2024 season, and after a brief period of downtime, he eventually announced he would be joining Aston Martin in a multi-million-pound deal worth £30 million.

His arrival has coincided with Aston Martin’s downturn in form on track, as they have struggled to replicate their podium successes from the 2023 season.

Discussing his presence at Monaco on BBC Radio 5 Live, former F1 driver Damon Hill believes Newey’s influence will be seen at Aston Martin, as he starts to get stuck into work at the team.

Damon Hill thinks Aston Martin will benefit from Adrian Newey’s ‘magic wand’

Newey is supposed to be working full time on Aston Martin’s 2026 car, but recently revealed that he has had ‘lunchtime discussions’ over their 2025 car problems.

Hill believes his presence at the track in 2025 will be important, as he will help guide Aston Martin in the right direction.

“[On Adrian Newey being at Monaco] You can’t keep him away from the race track or a racing car, he’s come down to Monaco and he’s got a few ideas, he’s talking to the engineers,” said Hill.

“He will benefit Aston Martin, he’s got his magic wand and he’s able to see stuff that other people miss.”

Aston Martin revel in top six start for Fernando Alonso in Monaco

Fernando Alonso qualified in seventh place for the Monaco Grand Prix, but that has been changed to sixth place following a penalty for Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton was given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying, which promotes those behind him on the grid.

Alonso stands a chance of scoring his first points of the season in Monaco if he can stay inside of the top 10 positions.

Teams must do at least two pit stops in the race, as part of new rules brought in specifically for the Monaco GP.