Aston Martin gives itself completely to Adrian Newey: he will be the new team leader from 2026 | Formula 1 | Sport

The fuss at Aston Martin doesn’t seem capable of solving the problem, not even James Bond, the character who has contributed the most to the promotion of the brand, well above the drivers of the team that competes in the Formula 1 World Championship. The British team has brought out two directors in just over 13 months, to give itself completely to Adrian Newey, recruited just over a year ago by Lawrence Stroll, the owner of the whole thing. The rumor that had begun to take shape last weekend, in Las Vegas, was confirmed this Thursday through a press release: starting from 2026, Newey will occupy the position of director, a position that he will combine with that of technical director, replacing Andy Cowell, who had assumed that role last January, and who will now be relocated to the strategic division. There Cowell will take care of the integration with Honda, which will become the team’s engine supplier, after ending its relationship with Red Bull.

Even if the engineer’s influence has not translated at all into an improvement in the performance of the Silverstone team (Great Britain), which appears in eighth place in the constructors’ ranking and has lost three positions compared to last year, the instability that projects so many changes does not play in the team’s favour. Fernando Alonso’s fifth place in Hungary is the best result of a transition process, waiting for the tornado effect of the regulatory change that will be applied in 2025 to open the window for surprises. That’s where Aston Martin, Alonso and Newey hope to sneak in, who will have to take on a different role from the one that made them a myth: 14 drivers’ titles and 12 constructors’ titles with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

The coach from Stratford-upon-Avon has always moved better on slightly more discreet aspects, away from the pomp and spotlight that focuses on Toto Wolff or Christian Horner, to name two of the most appreciated managers, whose disputes have become a hotbed for Netflix’s screenwriters. Indeed, Newey’s promotion slams the door on rumors suggesting Horner could wear green, months after being sacked by Red Bull. Logically, the new powers will take time away from what is its specialty, design, and we will have to see what connotations this may have on the launch of the new car, and on its adaptation to Honda.

“I look forward to taking on this new role, as it puts us in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face a completely new landscape,” Newey said in the official statement. “This change in leadership is a joint decision that we have made for the good of the team. We look forward to continuing to work with Andy in his new role,” Stroll added.

Newey also spoke to his team’s official channels: “I look forward to taking on this new role, as it puts us in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face a completely new situation, with Aston Martin now as the works team, and the considerable challenge posed by the new regulations.” Finally, Stroll called Cowell “an exceptional leader this year.” “He has focused on building a world-class team and achieving good collaboration, as well as fostering a culture that brings racing cars back to the center of our business. This change in leadership is a mutual decision that we have made for the good of the team. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role,” he added. And regarding Newey, he said that his new role “will allow him to make the most of his creative and technical experience.” “Both changes will ensure the team is best placed to make the most of its collective strengths,” Stroll concluded.