Aston Martin wins race to sign star F1 designer Newey · RaceFans
Aston Martin has pulled off a massive coup by securing the services of Formula 1’s most highly-rated designer, Adrian Newey.
The 65-year-old confirmed in May he had agreed to leave Red Bull at the beginning of next year. Ferrari was understood to be among the teams vying for his services.
However Newey has turned down the opportunity to form a ‘super-team’ at the Scuderia with seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Aston Martin CEO Lawrence Stroll called the announcement “the most exciting news in Aston Martin’s history.” Newey has joined as a shareholder and their technical managing partner.
The hiring of Newey will be seen as the crowning achievement of Stroll, who vowed to transform them into world champions following his takeover in 2018. He rebranded the team as Aston Martin three years later.
“Adrian arguably is the greatest in the world at what he does,” said Stroll. “Nobody has come close to winning as many world championships. He’s a gentleman, he’s a winner, he’s a competitor and he has the passion and desire to win.”
With Stroll’s investment, the team has built a state-of-the-art new factory at its Silverstone base. It moved into the facility last year and are constructing a new wind tunnel and driver-in-the-loop simulator.
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Newey will arrive at the team in time to give his input into their new car for the 2026 season, when new regulations for power units and chassis will be introduced. Conceptualising designs for new regulations has been a major strength of Newey’s in the past.
His arrival will also coincide with the beginning of Aston Martin’s relationship with new works engine supplier Honda. Newey worked with the Japanese manufacturer at Red Bull from 2019, producing the car which took Max Verstappen to the drivers’ championship two years later. Aston Martin’s drivers for 2026 will be Fernando Alonso and Stroll’s son Lance.
At Aston Martin, Newey will be reunited with several former Red Bull staff, including its technical director Dan Fallows who joined the team in early 2022. Aston Martin has recruited several top names from rival teams including Ferrari’s former technical director of chassis and aerodynamics, Enrico Cardile, who is due to join them next year.
Newey has spent the last 18 years at Red Bull. Prior to that he worked for McLaren, Williams and Leyton House. He spent a brief spell at the Fittipaldi F1 team in the early eighties before spending much of the decade with March, working on their IndyCars.
This article will be updated.
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