Design genius Adrian Newey has joined the Aston Martin Formula 1 team as a shareholder and will lead the 2026 car project.
Adrian Newey: The New Powerhouse of Aston Martin
Aston Martin Racing, based in Silverstone, has officially secured the services of legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey. As the newly appointed Executive Technical Partner, Newey will oversee the ambitious team’s key vehicle design for the 2026 season under the sport’s new technical regulations. This move is expected to strengthen Aston Martin’s quest to become a top contender in the championship race.
Departure from Red Bull and a New Chapter
Newey’s move to Aston Martin follows a series of power struggles behind the scenes at the reigning champions, Red Bull. Before the Miami Grand Prix in May, Newey announced his departure from Red Bull, leading many teams to eagerly pursue his expertise. Initially, Newey had considered taking a break from F1 after completing the RB17 Hypercar project for Red Bull. However, he negotiated an early release from his contract, allowing him to join a rival team from March 2025.
Ferrari’s Interest and the Hamilton Factor
Ferrari was long believed to be the frontrunner to secure Newey’s services as a consultant. Newey himself admitted that he was keen on working with Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025. However, Newey’s plans took an unexpected turn.
Joining Forces with Alonso and Aston Martin
Instead of heading to Ferrari, the 65-year-old chose to align with Aston Martin, opting to join forces with world champion Fernando Alonso. Speaking about his decision, Newey stated that Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious plans to push the team to the front of the F1 grid, along with the new campus and state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities, convinced him to join the team.
With this major signing, Aston Martin Racing aims to achieve significant success in the future. Newey’s addition could transform the team into a serious contender for the 2026 season and possibly elevate them to the pinnacle of Formula 1.