Aston Martin have fallen to second from bottom in the constructors’ championship ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. But the presence of Adrian Newey gives the team reason to be optimistic.
The designer started work in March but won’t have a major influence on the car until 2026. Damon Hill is convinced Newey has ‘found something’ ahead of the major rule changes this winter.
He joined after almost 20 years at Red Bull, where he pencilled eight title-winning cars, four for Max Verstappen and four for Sebastian Vettel. He’s previously won championships at McLaren and Williams.
Newey is arguably the centrepiece of Lawrence Stroll’s billion-pound title push. The team also boast a legendary driver in Alonso and a team principal in Andy Cowell who was crucial to Mercedes’ engine dominance from 2014 to 2020.
Alonso finally scored his first points of the 2025 season on home soil at the Spanish GP as he finished ninth. But they suffered the ignominy of dropping behind Sauber, who scored a stunning P5 through Nico Hulkenberg.
Fernando Alonso says Adrian Newey has raised standards at Aston Martin
2026 marks a reset, but that doesn’t mean that this year is a complete write-off for Aston Martin. The team have a chance to hone their methods, ensuring they are at the operational level to win races when the car is at the required level.
Aston aren’t there yet, but Alonso says that Newey is already demanding a raised standard. He’s doing so simply through his stature.
Speaking to Spanish broadcaster DAZN, Alonso raved about how Aston Martin meetings have changed in recent months. Each team member now feels extra pressure to ensure they are making valuable contributions.
“Having someone like him, a genius, on your side of the box, adds a lot of pressure and a lot of demands to the team,” Alonso explained. “Everyone is on guard to make sure they don’t make mistakes.
“You can’t make an inappropriate comment because someone will give you a funny look if you say something too stupid.”
Fernando Alonso and Adrian Newey already have one difference of opinion
Aston Martin staff are already used to Stroll’s notorious temper. They risk the wrath of their billionaire backer if they don’t deliver.
But Newey’s approach is different. He’s known as an introverted figure who perhaps leads by example instead.
With a new-look, world-class team of engineers at the helm, there could be some uncomfortable conversations with longer-serving staff. But the cultural shift could deliver wonderful results.
Newey has already raised concerns over Aston Martin’s simulator, suggesting they will need two years to carry out an overhaul. But Alonso has played down the problem.
As the most experienced driver in F1 history, the managing technical partner will surely value his input. Newey always wanted to work with Alonso before he joined Aston.
