Russell Admires Newey's 'Visually Impressive' Aston Martin But Emphasizes Speed is What Counts

Mercedes driver George Russell singled out Adrian Newey's new Aston Martin as the most visually striking car after the first 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, praising its rear suspension design. However, the Briton was quick to underline that aesthetic appeal is secondary to outright performance, with the true test of inspiration coming from which car proves fastest when the season begins in Melbourne.

Why it matters:

Adrian Newey's move to Aston Martin is one of the biggest technical storylines of the new regulatory era. When a current rival driver like Russell openly acknowledges the visual intrigue of a Newey design, it signals that the legendary engineer's influence is immediately tangible. This shifts paddock attention and sets a benchmark for innovation that other teams will scrutinize, even if ultimate success is measured solely on the stopwatch.

The details:

• Following his gardening leave from Red Bull, Adrian Newey's first major project at Aston Martin is the 2026 car built under all-new technical regulations.
• At the Barcelona shakedown, George Russell told media, including GPblog, that the Aston Martin was "the most standout in terms of the car's design."
• He specifically highlighted the rear suspension, noting, "I think everybody was looking at that... it obviously visually looks very impressive."
• Russell immediately contextualized his admiration by stating, "It's not a competition of how sexy it is. It's a competition of how fast it goes around the track."
• He concluded that the paddock's focus will inevitably shift to the fastest car after the Australian Grand Prix, as that becomes the reference point for rivals seeking inspiration.

What's next:

The focus now moves from private shakedowns to official, competitive analysis. The first open test of the 2026 season is scheduled for next week in Bahrain, a three-day event from February 11-13 at the Bahrain International Circuit. This will provide the first true comparative data on performance across the grid, revealing whether Newey's visually impressive Aston Martin translates its design promise into lap time.