JUST IN : Aston Martin Staff ‘Apologise’ to Adrian Newey as Design Genius Immerses Himself in 2026 F1 Project… Read more
Aston Martin Staff ‘Apologise’ to Adrian Newey as Design Genius Immerses Himself in 2026 F1 Project
Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell has lifted the lid on what it’s like working alongside Formula 1’s most celebrated designer, Adrian Newey, revealing the remarkable intensity and focus the engineering mastermind brings to his new role as the team prepares for the 2026 regulations overhaul.
Next season will usher in a new era for Formula 1, with sweeping technical changes set to redefine the cars’ performance and appearance. The 2026 ruleset aims to make F1 machinery lighter, smaller, and more energy-efficient, encouraging closer on-track battles while aligning with the sport’s push toward sustainability. The shake-up is expected to dramatically reset the competitive order, with teams in a race against time to master the new aerodynamic and power unit concepts.
Amid this backdrop, Aston Martin made one of the sport’s biggest signings when they secured Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the greatest designer in F1 history. Newey, who masterminded multiple championship-winning cars for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, shocked the paddock in May 2024 when he announced his decision to leave Red Bull after nearly two decades of success.
Following months of speculation about where he might land, Newey’s next move was confirmed four months later: he would join Aston Martin. After officially becoming part of the Silverstone-based team in May 2025, the British engineer made his public debut in Aston Martin colours during the Monaco Grand Prix that same month.
Speaking to the media at the time, Newey said his full attention was already on developing Aston Martin’s 2026 challenger, describing how he often enters a “design trance” when immersed in the creative process. His wife, he joked, was used to seeing him lost in deep concentration for hours at a time — and now, according to Cowell, his new colleagues are witnessing that same intensity firsthand.
“Adrian is an exceptionally focused individual — extremely driven and single-minded,” Cowell explained during a recent interview. “He still works in a very traditional way, doing detailed designs on his drawing board in his office. When you go in to catch up with him, you can see he’s completely absorbed in his work.”
Cowell revealed that the team has learned to tread carefully around Newey when he’s in one of his legendary states of concentration. “When he’s focused on a specific part of the design, it really does look like he’s in a trance,” Cowell said with a laugh. “You almost find yourself apologising for interrupting him. You’ll say, ‘Sorry, Adrian, I just wanted to ask about something else…’ — because you can see how deeply locked in he is.”
Despite his quiet intensity, Cowell emphasised that working with Newey is both inspiring and enjoyable. “It’s a pleasure to watch,” he said. “His ability to balance every competing system in the car — aerodynamics, chassis, engine, and packaging — is unparalleled. I’d say he’s the best in the business when it comes to understanding the overall architecture of a Formula 1 car.”
With Newey now fully embedded in Aston Martin’s technical structure, expectations are sky-high for the team’s 2026 entry. As F1 braces for a new competitive landscape, many will be watching to see whether Newey’s magic touch can once again deliver a car capable of transforming a team’s fortunes — this time in green.
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