Hamilton-Hynes Split Clarified as False, Russell Reacts to Newey's Aston Martin Design

Rumors of a split between Lewis Hamilton and his long-time associate Marc Hynes have been clarified as false, with Hynes moving to Cadillac's F1 project instead. Meanwhile, George Russell has singled out Adrian Newey's Aston Martin AMR26 as an impressive design that has caught the paddock's attention, particularly its rear suspension.

Why it matters:

Clarifying the Hamilton-Hynes situation dispels unnecessary speculation about the seven-time champion's management stability as he prepares for his high-profile move to Ferrari. Separately, when a top driver like Russell publicly notes a rival's car as "impressive," it signals that the design from a legendary figure like Newey is being taken seriously by competitors, potentially hinting at a technical shift in the pecking order.

The details:

• Hynes' Actual Role: Contrary to widespread reports, Marc Hynes has not been Lewis Hamilton's manager "for years." His recent involvement was as a consultant specifically for Hamilton's Ferrari deal and as an advisor within the driver's company on racing activities.
• Hynes' New Move: Hynes is departing to join the Cadillac F1 operation, reuniting with Graeme Lowdon. The pair previously worked together at the now-defunct Manor F1 team and in a driver-management venture.
• Paddock Buzz: George Russell explicitly highlighted the Aston Martin AMR26, designed by new technical chief Adrian Newey, as a standout car in the paddock. He pointed to its rear suspension as a feature that has drawn particular scrutiny from himself and the Mercedes team.
• Russell's Pragmatic View: The Mercedes driver downplayed any concern over the car's striking aesthetics, noting that Formula 1 is ultimately about lap time, not how "sexy" a car looks. Newey himself has described Aston Martin's design philosophy as "aggressive."

The big picture:

These two stories highlight the off-track narratives shaping the 2026 season. Hamilton's camp remains settled as his Ferrari chapter approaches, while the technical arms race is already heating up. Adrian Newey's influence at Aston Martin is generating immediate buzz, putting pressure on established top teams like Mercedes to analyze and respond. The focus on rear suspension design suggests areas where the 2026 regulations are fostering innovation.