Even for icons like Adrian Newey there is always a first time. And the first time it will coincide with 2026when aerodynamic genius – is pursued Ferrari for months before choosing a path silver stone – will take on the role of team leader‘Aston Martin. An important turning point for a technician who had not taken on such a broad managerial role in over forty years. Newey will take over the baton Andy Cowellkey figures of the hybrid era Mercedeswho after a year as CEO and team principal will move to an equally strategic – but more remote – role as chief strategy officer, and continue to report directly to team owner Silverstone, Lawrence Strolling.
The green revolution did not appear by chance. The year 2026 will bring “the biggest change yet radical in one generation,” as stated in the team notes, with new power unitactive aerodynamics and a busier grille. Therefore, there is a need for restructuring leadership. Cowell – who has been redesigning the internal organization over the past 14 months – now has a mission to lead the technical integration between new machine Hondafuel Aramcolubricant Small valve and the future chassis. “This is the right time to take on a different role and optimize the partnership with Honda, Aramco and Valvoline, ensuring perfect integration between the power unit, fuel and chassis,” said the former Silver Arrows coach.
Newey, however, will leadall technical sectors and track operations. A transition that Stroll defines as natural: “Adrian will be able to take full advantage of it creativity And competence technique“, are the thoughts of the Canadian, father of racer Lance. The British former Red Bull driver has been closely watching the potential of the structure: “In the last nine months I have seen extraordinary talent in the team – he explained – This new role will put us in the best position to deal with it challenge in 2026″.
How the team changed with his arrival
With the announcement of Newey as team principal, Aston Martin changed skin. Era growth fragmentedconsisting of investments and bribes, and of vision unite: a single mind that envisions the car, guides its development, and coordinates its evolution on the track. This was a cultural change even before the organizational change: Newey brought in a method based on quick decisions, creative freedom and a design philosophy which starts from a blank sheet of paper, ideal for viewing new rules 2026 and active aerodynamics. For the first time, the aerodynamic and mechanical concepts of a single seater will be modeled early on in the layout, without compromise inherited.
A new course is also taking shape in the integration between chassis and power unit, crucial themes new technical regulations. It is he who will establish priorities, geometry, structural and aerodynamic balance. A logic that reminds of that Red Bull dominantwhere every element — from the engines to the wings — is part of the same design, although subject to Christian Horner’s approval. Next to him, figures like Andy Cowell will have role strategicbut the direction will be clear: everything must fit into the language of the show.
Is Newey reviving the Verstappen hypothesis at Aston Martin?
Newey’s choice of Aston Martin may also revive that hypothesis Max Verstappen at the Silverstone team since then 2027. The Dutch coach has not yet decided on his future, he will wait to understand what will happen to him Red Bull with these new regulations — understanding the merits (or otherwise) of next year’s new Ford power units — and always appreciating his former technical director, even criticizing horneven after an affair that had a British man at its center sexgate case with an employee of Milton Keynes. Newey, on the track, will not be a political manager, but rather a technical commander, which is rare in modern F1. This new structure will make the Aston Martin sleeker and sleeker more adventurous in experimenting, with an internal environment destined to change under his footsteps.
Newey, his short career
What is certain is Newey — born in Stratford-upon-Avon as William Shakespeare — is about to experience a stimulating new phase in his career. Another part after debuting in Fittipaldi and March, Imsa, Indianapolis 500 and the title Basket. His return to F1 together March/Leyton House leading to the famous CG901a car capable of making a Ivan Hair at the 1990 French GP. But that was with Williams that his genius exploded: FW14, FW14B and FW15C made history, with a mole 1994 car which causes death Ayrton Senna in Imola.
In McLarensince 1997, it has signed cars bearing the title Mica Download in 1998 and 1999. But the most enduring chapter is the chapter with Red Bullstarts on 2006: from 2010 to 2013 they arrived eight world titlesthen a new winning cycle with Verstappen from 2021 to 2023. In parallel, Newey designed a hypercar Aston Martin Valkyriesworked on the America’s Cup and even took part Resilienceto understand motorsport even from the driver’s seat. Announced in September 2024 by Aston Martin, he started work in March for the Silverstone team after undergoing “gardening”: a period of forced rest after leaving Red Bull.
