In a bold move to shake up the Formula 1 grid, Aston Martin has been making headline-grabbing signings ahead of the 2025 season. The Silverstone-based team is pulling in top-tier talent, with the most significant catch being ex-Red Bull aerodynamicist Adrian Newey. Persuaded by Aston Martin’s boss and the prospect of a future partnership with Honda—set to supply engines from 2026—Newey, one of F1’s most renowned minds, has committed to the ambitious project.
But former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg isn’t entirely convinced. Drawing a controversial parallel, Rosberg warns that Aston Martin could become the “PSG of Formula 1.” Despite the star-studded signings, Rosberg argues that big names alone don’t guarantee success—just as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) found out the hard way in their 2021 football campaign. Despite boasting world-class players like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, PSG struggled to secure the Champions League trophy, an outcome Rosberg suggests could mirror Aston Martin’s future if they fail to gel as a unit.
“Look at PSG,” Rosberg stated. “They had the best players in the world—Messi, Neymar, Mbappé—yet they couldn’t lift the Champions League. Having star power isn’t enough; they need to work as a team. The same goes for Aston Martin. You can bring in the best minds, but if they don’t mesh, it’s all for nothing.”
Rosberg highlighted that, while hiring top talent like Newey and other high-profile engineers might look impressive on paper, the true test will be whether these experts can integrate seamlessly. He emphasized that achieving success in F1 requires a unified team effort, not just isolated brilliance. Each member, from engineers to designers, must work closely, aligning their strategies and ideas to produce a competitive car.
“Aston Martin must prioritize synergy,” Rosberg warned. “Adrian Newey’s brilliance alone won’t win championships. He can guide them, set the direction, but the rest of the team must step up and work together.”
With just six races remaining in the current season before Newey officially takes up his role at Aston Martin, Rosberg believes the pressure is on for the team to start building a family-like environment. He insists that the key to winning championships lies in creating a cohesive unit rather than relying on individual star power.
“Aston Martin needs to understand that success won’t come overnight,” he added. “They need to give it time, develop strong internal chemistry, and ensure everyone pulls in the same direction. It’s about building a family, not just assembling a lineup of superstars.”
As the countdown begins for Newey’s arrival in 2025, his primary mission will be to develop a car capable of exploiting the new regulatory changes set for 2026. But whether Aston Martin can overcome the potential pitfalls of its star-studded strategy remains a question that could define its future in Formula 1.
