Adrian Newey Spotted Inspecting Hamilton's Ferrari SF-26 on Hungarian GP Grid

Adrian Newey stuck to his familiar pre-race routine in Budapest, taking a close look at Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari SF-26 on the starting grid ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Aston Martin team principal, who has made four trackside appearances this season, was seen chatting with Piero Ferrari while examining the seven-time world champion's car before the race.

Why it matters:

Newey's grid-walk inspections have always been part of his process for sizing up the competition, and his focus on Ferrari comes as both teams fight for footing in a tight midfield-to-front fight. Aston Martin brought its B-spec AMR26 upgrade to Hungary, which got Fernando Alonso into Q2 for the first time this year, while Ferrari is still chasing consistent podium form. Newey sizing up the SF-26 is a reminder that even after decades at the top, he still trusts his own eyes to spot what rivals are doing differently.

The details:

• Newey was caught on camera studying Hamilton's Ferrari from several angles on the Budapest grid, including a lingering look at the rear of the car.
• He spent part of the national anthem window talking with Piero Ferrari, the Scuderia's vice-president, right beside Hamilton's cockpit.
• This wasn't a one-off; Newey did the same with Hamilton's car at the Australian Grand Prix opener in March and was also spotted eyeing Oscar Piastri's McLaren MCL40 in Hungary.
• Hamilton's Sunday went sideways with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Piastri in qualifying and a five-second pit-lane speeding penalty, leaving him fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
• Aston Martin's B-spec upgrade showed promise in qualifying with Alonso's Q2 run, but both he and Lance Stroll missed the points in 14th and 13th.

Between the lines:

There is extra spice to Newey's Ferrari inspection given he was rumored for a move to Maranello after leaving Red Bull in 2024 before signing with Aston Martin instead. His hands-on approach on the grid suggests he is not content to simply manage from the pit wall, especially as he is already working to hand over the team principal role to a long-term successor. Every detail he picks up from rival machinery could shape Aston Martin's development path as the team tries to convert Newey's presence into genuine front-running pace.