Newey’s Focus Shifts to 2026 at Aston Martin as Development Challenges Persist
Silverstone, UK – Adrian Newey’s recent appearance at the British Grand Prix marked a notable moment for Aston Martin’s F1 team, as the legendary designer, typically confined to development, explored new ideas on the grid. Having joined Aston Martin in March, Newey’s primary focus is on the 2026 technical regulations, rather than immediate fixes for the current car’s shortcomings.
Despite overseeing championship-winning designs, he appears disengaged with the AMR25. Fernando Alonso commented on Newey’s approach: “Every time we ask something about this year or how to improve something, he gets up and goes to another office. So he’s already in 2026 mode.” This aligns with Newey’s historical reluctance to involve himself in a previous team’s inherited project, as seen during his tenures at Williams and Red Bull.
In recent discussions, Newey has recognized the “weak” development tools available at Aston Martin, emphasizing the need for a significant restructuring of the technical department. Team owner Lawrence Stroll’s high expectations add pressure, as Alonso, aware of his career timeline, is eager to see competitive performance. Lance Stroll’s apparent disinterest also raises questions about the team’s internal dynamics regarding development progress.
CEO Andy Cowell faces the challenge of facilitating this transition while demonstrating tangible improvement in the current project. A new floor introduced at Imola yielded positive feedback, with further adjustments made for Silverstone showing potential—though both upgrades have yet to translate into the desired competitiveness.
Alonso noted, “The car felt a bit better… a very small upgrade package, but it’s always welcome.” He emphasized the importance of minor gains in a tightly contested midfield. As the season progresses, managing expectations while ramping up development efforts will be crucial for Aston Martin’s trajectory. If results falter in the coming races, the pressure on Newey to shift focus might intensify, despite his enduring commitment to a forward-looking strategy.
