Adrian Newey's impact questioned as Rosberg challenges Wolff comments

Johnny Herbert has suggested Aston Martin's dismal 2026 start could signal Adrian Newey is losing his edge, while Nico Rosberg has challenged Toto Wolff's account of their explosive 2016 Mercedes rivalry. The comments headline a busy Saturday that also saw the FIA ease sanctions on Russian and Belarusian drivers and Ferrari earn praise for a mid-season rebound.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin's single point before the summer break was unthinkable after recruiting Newey, and Herbert's comments tap into a fear that even legendary designers can struggle with F1's modern demands. Rosberg's rebuttal also revisits the internal chaos that defined Mercedes' most volatile championship era, while the FIA's sanctions relief marks a notable geopolitical shift for the sport.

The details:

• Herbert claimed the AMR26's struggles might be "the first sign" of Newey's "demise," though Newey has cited 2025 development delays as the root cause of the car's limitations.
• Rosberg rejected Wolff's assertion that both he and Lewis Hamilton were fired after their 2016 Spanish Grand Prix collision, admitting only that Mercedes held serious internal talks about benching them.
• Ferrari has rebounded strongly from a winless 2025, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc each taking a victory and innovations like the Macarena rear wing catching the eye.
• The FIA lifted restrictions allowing Russian and Belarusian drivers to race under their national flags, though international events remain banned in both countries.

What's next:

Aston Martin's second-half form will prove whether Herbert's concerns are premature, while Ferrari tries to sustain its momentum in a tightening title fight. The relaxed FIA stance may also ease the path for Eastern European talent returning to junior categories.