The name Adrian Newey is one of the most revered in the world of Formula 1, a sport known for its larger-than-life personalities and record-breaking figures. Many in the sport laud Newey as "the man who can see air", and his CV as a car designer is nothing short of illustrious. He has played a key role in securing 12 Constructors' and 13 Drivers' Championships, with his designs contributing to an unmatched 532 podium finishes and 220 Grand Prix victories. No other figure in Formula 1 history comes close to these achievements.
Newey has worked alongside several of Formula 1's biggest names, including Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Häkkinen, Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen. His immense talent has made him a highly sought-after figure throughout his career, with teams vying for his signature when his time with them neared its end – a situation that has once again made headlines.
At 65 years of age, it seemed a reasonable assumption that Newey would conclude his career at Red Bull, a team he transformed from the struggling remnants of Jaguar into a dominant force in the sport. The RB19, a car he designed, has become the most successful car in Formula 1’s long history. Even Newey himself admitted he thought Red Bull would be his final team. However, in a season already brimming with both on- and off-track drama, the motorsport world was rocked when Red Bull’s long-serving Chief Technical Officer announced he would be leaving the team he had spent 19 years with.
Naturally, speculation began to swirl about where Newey would go next, with Ferrari emerging as a likely destination for a man seeking an exciting final chapter. Despite Ferrari’s long-standing interest in signing Newey and their willingness to match any salary on offer, it was Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin – bolstered by significant recent investment – that secured the services of the design maestro.
Though Newey continues to work on the RB17 hybrid track car for Red Bull, further demonstrating his versatility, on 7th September 2024, Aston Martin announced that he would officially begin working with the team on 1st March 2025, ahead of the seismic changes set to arrive with the 2026 technical regulations. Newey is known to relish a good project, and Lawrence Stroll has made no secret of his desire to transform Aston Martin into a championship-winning team. So, what has attracted Newey to the British manufacturer?
Although Newey is regarded as one of the most unpretentious and pleasant individuals in Formula 1, the eye-watering salary offered by Stroll and his seemingly limitless financial resources certainly would have caught Newey's attention. Reports suggest that, including bonuses and shares, Newey stands to earn approximately £30 million a year. This extraordinary figure puts him on par with Formula 1’s highest-earning drivers, and the fact that he will become a shareholder in the team is unprecedented for someone in his position.
Not only has Newey hit the financial jackpot, but he will also wield considerable influence at Aston Martin. The role offers him an unprecedented level of creative freedom and decision-making power, allowing him to manage personnel and oversee development in ways that few others could. This degree of involvement, or “skin in the game” as Newey has often referred to in interviews, is likely a significant factor in his decision to join the team.
Newey has also expressed admiration for Lawrence Stroll, praising the owner's "passion, commitment, and enthusiasm" as "very endearing". He also noted how "Lawrence is unique, he’s the only active team owner, and that brings a different feeling". It is likely that Newey misses the dynamism associated with the team owners of old, including the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull’s former owner, who was known for his hands-on approach.
Stroll’s ambition has been evident in the vast amounts of funding he has injected into the team. Aston Martin’s Silverstone headquarters has undergone significant expansion, with state-of-the-art infrastructure being added, including the new AMR Technology Centre, which will serve as the team’s control hub, and an ultra-modern wind tunnel that will be operational by winter. After touring the updated facilities, Newey commented, “the resources here are just stunning” and added, “they have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team”.
Stroll has also attracted a host of new technical and managerial staff, some of whom have worked with Newey before, and secured Honda as Aston Martin’s works team and power unit supplier from 2026. Newey’s previous experience with Honda at Red Bull further strengthens the team’s position as they gear up for the new regulations. Aston Martin is laying the foundations to become a formidable force in Formula 1, and a designer of Newey’s calibre is precisely what the team needs to elevate them to the top.
Another factor likely to have drawn Newey to Aston Martin is the presence of Fernando Alonso, who the British designer has called a “legend of the sport”. Newey has long praised Alonso, despite often being on opposing sides of the grid. In interviews, Newey expressed his desire to work with either Alonso or Lewis Hamilton, which fuelled earlier rumours of a Ferrari move. The double World Champion, who has been competing in Formula 1 since 2001, will undoubtedly offer valuable feedback and help extract the maximum performance from Newey’s cars thanks to his vast experience and racing acumen, which few others can match.
Adrian Newey is a man entirely dedicated to his craft and motorsport. With the level of control and influence he will have at Aston Martin, he is sure to relish the challenge of transforming them from a midfield team into championship contenders. Who better to lead that charge than the man who “can see air” and already has 25 championships to his name? Stroll has offered Newey not only a fresh start but an exciting project that will require immense dedication, and an escape from the growing turmoil within Red Bull, which has struggled since the Miami Grand Prix – Newey’s last involvement with their Formula 1 team.
With a five-year contract in hand and a complete reset on the horizon with the 2026 regulations, all eyes will be on Aston Martin as the new technical rules come into effect. With Newey at the helm, Stroll’s grandiose visions of championship glory seem all the more attainable. It is worth remembering that Newey has left a trail of podiums and championships at every team he’s been part of – why should his success not continue at a team with Aston Martin’s level of investment? Expect the motorsport world to be watching closely when Newey returns from his well-earned break from the sport.