Adrian Newey, the acclaimed F1 design wizard, has embarked on a new journey with Aston Martin, inciting a humorous reaction from his wife, Amanda. She jested on social media that she anticipates reuniting with her husband “in about five years”, reflecting the demanding commitment that his new role will require.
Newey, whose illustrious career spans over 200 race wins and a staggering 26 combined Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships for Red Bull, McLaren and Williams, has now taken up the mantle of managing technical partner at Aston Martin. He has also become a shareholder in the F1 team. This new role marks his first team change in almost twenty years, a move that has garnered significant attention in the motorsport world.
The 66-year-old design maestro will collaborate closely with Aston Martin’s soon-to-be engine suppliers Honda, fuel partner Aramco, and lubricants provider Valvoline. This strategic alliance was formalised last year, paving the way for the F1 2026 rule changes. Aston Martin recently unveiled the first official photograph of Newey at their state-of-the-art Silverstone factory, where he was seen sharing a light moment with the team’s Group CEO and principal, Andy Cowell.
Newey’s wife playfully responded to the photograph on social media, posting: “I can’t wait to see you again, dear husband! Let’s catch up in about five years time.” Her comment, peppered with a mix of light-hearted emojis, underscored the intensity of commitment that Newey’s new role will require.
The F1 veteran’s transition to Aston Martin followed the conclusion of his tenure with the Red Bull F1 team last year. Newey was instrumental in Red Bull’s rise as a dominant force in F1, steering the team to success with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Following his exit from Red Bull, Newey concentrated solely on the RB17 hypercar project in the latter half of 2024.
Newey’s departure from Red Bull was facilitated by his manager and former F1 team owner, Eddie Jordan. This manoeuvre allowed him to avoid the customary extended gardening leave, common in F1 staff contracts. As a result, Newey is free to engage extensively in Aston Martin’s preparations for the new era of F1 in 2026.
Speaking about Newey’s arrival, Cowell expressed the team’s enthusiasm at welcoming a personality of Newey’s calibre. He noted that the structural changes made within the organisation were aimed at improving efficiency. Cowell highlighted that flat structures expedite communication, reduce the need for meetings and reports, and accelerate progress.
Cowell elaborated on the team’s aspirations with Newey onboard: “We’re excited to have Adrian on board, to work on the creativity of our race cars, to work on our methods, the tools that we use and how are we all going to lift our quality standards to the point that we make the fastest race car every year. That’s our objective.”
With 248 new employees joining the Aston Martin Formula 1 team last year, the collective effort of the team, coupled with Newey’s insights and expertise, is expected to lead to the creation of an exceptional race car. This collaboration encapsulates the excitement and anticipation that permeates the world of Formula 1 as it gears up for a new era.