Gary Anderson analyzes Adrian Newey's 'extreme' first Aston Martin F1 car

F1 design expert Gary Anderson's first look at the 2026 Aston Martin confirms it bears the hallmarks of Adrian Newey's aggressive philosophy, featuring an extreme 'zero' sidepod concept and a low-drag profile that could be a masterstroke under the current regulations. The car's radical aerodynamics, including a dramatic undercut and high-mounted suspension, immediately signal Newey's intent to push design boundaries for Aston Martin's new era.

Why it matters:

This is the first tangible evidence of Adrian Newey's influence since joining Aston Martin, offering a preview of the technical direction for the 2026 season. Newey's ability to find performance compromises within the rules has defined championship-winning cars for decades; his first Aston Martin concept suggests a bold, drag-focused approach that could reshape the team's competitive potential.

The details:

• Anderson identifies the car's most striking feature as an extreme 'zero' sidepod concept, which is exceptionally slim in depth, raising questions about radiator packaging.
• The design utilizes an extreme double floor, aiming to minimize the cross-sectional area between the wheels. This should significantly reduce airflow displacement and drag, a potentially major benefit under the current energy-limited regulations.
• Suspension geometry is aggressive, with a very high and wide-based front top wishbone and a rear setup featuring high inboard pick-ups for the upper wishbone and a very low lower wishbone.
• Notable details include the return of 'horns' on the airbox sides, likely serving as rollover bar supports to allow a more open intake, and vertical turning vanes beside the driver's head to manage airflow.
• A larger-than-usual undercut exists between the airbox intake and the driver's headrest, contributing to the car's overall extreme aerodynamic profile.

What's next:

The reveal has set a high benchmark for innovation, intensifying anticipation for the 2026 season. Anderson and the wider F1 community will conduct a deeper technical analysis once more detailed images and angles are available. This car sets the initial technical agenda for Aston Martin's Newey-led chapter, with its success hinging on translating these extreme concepts into a reliable and fast race package.