After months of speculation, Adrian Newey has finally revealed the next step in his career. It was announced that the engineering mastermind officially signed a long-term deal with Aston Martin as a managing technical partner.
Fernando Alonso, Newey, Lawrence Stroll, and Lance Stroll posing after the engineer’s announcement to join the British team in 2025 and onward. Courtesy of Aston Martin F1 Gallery.
This news may come as a shock, as it was widely rumored that he would sign with Ferrari, putting Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in a good position to win races and secure titles. However, the sun did not shine on the Italian team, and the car brand that Agent 007 himself drove won the battle to secure Newey.
Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t the first time an Aston Martin team has graced the track. The history of the team can be traced back to 1959 when they first debuted with Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. Failure to secure points and poor performance caused the team to make the difficult decision to leave the sport in 1960.
Since the team’s return to Formula 1 in the 2021 season, they may not have shown to be a top team, but they have certainly proved to be a strong midfield team. They came in fifth place in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, with lead driver Fernando Alonso securing eight podiums throughout the season.
Fernando Alonso posing with his first podium trophy in the AMF1. Courtesy of Aston Martin F1 Gallery.
This year, the team is still in the same position in the standings, but they have failed to produce podiums. The two drivers, Alonso and Lance Stroll have managed to secure points at multiple races, earning the team 74 points overall. This season is still not over, offering more opportunities for success.
The top teams this year are crystal clear. McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull seem to be the fastest cars on the grid. Even Mercedes has made significant improvements, eventually managing multiple race wins. Aston Martin being in fifth place seems a lot more reasonable when looking at their statistics compared to top-performing teams.
Aston Martin may not be a race-winning team in Formula 1, but it doesn’t mean the brand isn’t extremely successful and renowned in the car industry. Lawrence Stroll owns both the brand and the team, solidifying their financial situation.
With Newey signing on for multiple years, the opportunities are endless. With the help of the team, drivers, and engineering brilliance, Aston Martin could manage a complete turnaround for the 2025 season and beyond. The British team fighting in the midfield is a victory alone, as they fully restructured only three years ago.
Newey’s expertise in engineering will bring significant improvements to the team, especially with the new regulations that will be implemented in 2026. Not only does he have decades of experience under his belt, but he also created the World Championship car behind Red Bull’s dominance in the sport.
With the announcement of his departure from the reigning champions, it was obvious that every team would fight to sign him on. One of the biggest questions was what could have possibly pushed Newey to sign with Aston Martin. While that question has a loaded answer, one of the main reasons was the state-of-the-art factory which he received a private tour of.
Red Bull announced in May that Newey would be departing from the championship-winning team. Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images.
The factory offers a new wind tunnel and simulator. Stroll, not to be confused with his son, has expressed his extreme commitment to the team’s progress and future. This mindset had an impact on the British engineer, which ultimately led him to partner with the team.
The 2026 regulations bring on a new challenge for Newey, as he will have the opportunity to work on a new power unit formula. The cars will look quite different from what people are used to, and he will have the unique chance to create something entirely novel.
The question of whether or not the team will make significant progress remains to be answered, and Newey’s integrations won’t be seen until 2025. Next season will bring on big changes, with new rookies, driver switch-ups, and now engineers.
Edited by Reese Dlabach
Comments