Why it matters:
Adrian Newey, renowned as one of F1's greatest car designers, has already made a significant impact on Aston Martin's 2026 F1 car development, despite joining less than six months ago. His focused work ethic is accelerating the team's preparations for the new technical regulations.
The Details:
Aston Martin Team Principal Andy Cowell detailed Newey's early influence since joining as Technical Director from Red Bull earlier this year. While Newey is not working on the current car, his entire focus is on the 2026 regulations and car architecture.
- Newey's dedication is evident: He reportedly altered his British Grand Prix schedule to spend more time designing at the factory, illustrating his commitment to the 2026 project.
- Cowell highlighted Newey's immersive approach, including using drawing boards both at the factory and at home.
- His influence extends beyond design, impacting team processes: "His attention to detail across all disciplines of the car is mighty, which is great," Cowell noted. This level of focus is accelerating model iterations in the wind tunnel.
What's next:
Aston Martin is banking on Newey's expertise to position itself competitively for the sport's new technical era in 2026. The team is making rapid changes and testing numerous iterations to finalize the car's architecture, driven by Newey's intense work ethic.