Adrian Newey Inspects Red Bull RB22 and Ferrari SF-26 on British GP Grid

Adrian Newey continues his familiar routine of scrutinizing rival machinery, with the Aston Martin team principal spotted examining both the Red Bull RB22 and Ferrari SF-26 on the grid ahead of last weekend's British Grand Prix. The 67-year-old, who joined Aston Martin in March 2025 after nearly two decades at Red Bull, made his third paddock appearance of the 2026 season at Silverstone following previous visits to Australia and Monaco. Newey is renowned throughout the paddock for his meticulous study of rival designs on the starting grid.

Why it matters:

Newey's habit of inspecting competitor cars on the starting grid is well-documented, and his observations could prove crucial for Aston Martin as it fights to escape the rear of the field. The team remains stuck in a deep competitive slump, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso qualifying on the final row for the fourth consecutive race weekend, leaving the squad in urgent need of a breakthrough.

The details:

• Images from race day show Newey paying close attention to Isack Hadjar's Red Bull RB22 as mechanics wheeled it into position on the Silverstone grid.
• Newey was also seen inspecting Charles Leclerc's race-winning Ferrari SF-26, indicating a broad interest in the design approaches of leading teams.
• Aston Martin endured another miserable weekend at its home race, with Stroll accumulating six track limits breaches and receiving multiple five-second penalties.
• Newey has confirmed a substantial upgrade package is scheduled for the Hungarian Grand Prix later this month, targeting weight reduction through a lighter chassis and gearbox architecture.
• The update will also include revisions to the rear suspension, nose, and aerodynamic surfaces. Newey expects the changes to deliver a "large step" in overall performance as the team chases a fundamental shift in fortunes.

What's next:

Aston Martin is pinning its immediate hopes on the Budapest upgrade to reverse its fortunes after a dismal start to the 2026 campaign. With Newey combining his grid-side observations with an aggressive development push, the package could mark a critical turning point for a team urgently seeking to climb the order.