Adrian Newey Prefers 3D Rival Cars Over 'Spy Photographer' Images

Adrian Newey, Formula 1's legendary car designer, often observes rival cars on the grid before races, a practice he explains is far more efficient than sifting through countless "spy photographer" images. Having recently joined Aston Martin as a 'managing technical partner' and shareholder, Newey is focusing on the 2026 regulations and has been seen closely inspecting leading cars like McLaren's MCL39.

Why it matters:

Newey's method highlights a critical aspect of Formula 1's relentless innovation and competitive espionage. His ability to glean crucial insights from physical cars on the grid, rather than relying on often-unreliable two-dimensional images, underscores his unparalleled experience and visual acuity. This hands-on approach could give Aston Martin a significant edge as they prepare for the radical 2026 rule changes.

The Details:

• Inefficiency of 2D Photos: Newey explains that while all teams employ "spy photographers," the resulting thousands of images per race weekend are often not at the desired angle and take excessive time to analyze.
• 3D Advantage: Directly observing a car in 3D allows Newey to quickly spot areas of interest and understand spatial relationships that are lost in photographs.
• Time Efficiency: He emphasizes that it's simply more time-efficient to scan a physical car for key details, an action that would take ages to replicate by sifting through a vast digital photo archive.
• Aston Martin Role: Since joining Aston Martin in March, Newey has been tasked with shaping the team's approach to the new chassis and engine regulations for 2026.
• Alonso's Perspective: Fernando Alonso, who Newey has long wanted to work with, praises Newey's insights, noting that even simple answers from the designer often contain profound wisdom that requires significant mental effort to grasp.

The Big Picture:

Newey's move to Aston Martin and his focused approach to understanding competitor designs underscore the intense technical arms race in F1. His trackside observations, combined with Aston Martin's new Honda works engine deal for 2026, signal a serious ambition to challenge for championships. This strategic combination of design genius and power unit prowess could elevate Aston Martin's standing in the sport, potentially offering Alonso a final shot at a third Drivers' Championship.

What's next:

With Newey deeply involved in Project 678, the upcoming car under the new regulations, Aston Martin is poised to reveal its innovative direction. The success of this collaboration with a top-tier designer and a proven engine manufacturer like Honda will be closely watched, as it could reshape the competitive hierarchy of Formula 1 in 2026 and beyond.