Excluding a huge shock, Aston Martin will announce the signing of Adrian Newey in the coming days. The 65-year-old engineer will join Lawrence Stroll’s project and spearhead their development into the 2026 regulations. Critically for Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso, Newey’s arrival will be in time to direct their development in 2026.
Adrian Newey to direct Aston Martin 2026 development
Newey joins other big names
To be clear, Adrian Newey is not the only high-profile signing Aston Martin have made this year. Enrico Cardile, formerly Ferrari’s technical director, has agreed to join the Silverstone-based team.
Alongside Eric Blandin and Dan Fallows, past signings from Mercedes and Red Bull, Newey is joining a very strong technical department.
However, with confirmation of Newey’s arrival little more than a formality, it is imperative he begins work at Aston Martin as soon as possible. Per the FIA regulations, teams cannot begin working on their 2026 cars until January 1st next year.
Greater resources, greater pressure
As soon as next year begins, next year, teams will be full steam ahead on developing their 2026 card. This task will be especially demanding for Aston Martin, owing to their engine partnership with Honda.
In this sense, the British team have greater resources and potential to succeed. Along with this, inevitably, will be the pressure to deliver.
Adrian Newey’s brilliance is common knowledge, but the specific nature of his role at Aston Martin must be specified. His influence will predominantly impact the team’s big-picture development, establishing the team’s foundational aerodynamic concept and principles.
Because of this, as outlined previously, it is essential that Newey begins working at Aston quickly. This will give him the necessary time to integrate with the team and begin working on the 2026 regulations.
Aston Martin’s new wind tunnel, simulator and factory will also be online at the beginning of 2025. Adrian Newey visited all these facilities when he toured the team’s factory over the summer. It is understood this trip was instrumental in his decision to join the team.
Aston Martin’s 2026 car to be directed by Newey
Therefore, it is a huge benefit to Lawrence Stroll’s team that – per reports – he will officially begin work in March 2025. This means his involvement in the team will be early enough to direct and shape Aston’s 2026 package.
Owing to the nature of Newey’s departure from Red Bull, there are certain contractual stipulations that limit how soon he can begin working for another team.
Lawrence Stroll has tried to speed up this process, but the 65-year-old will ultimately have to spend a few months on ‘gardening leave’ before officially directing the team’s 2026 development.
Still, he will be available early enough to lead the team into the next generation of F1 cars. Of course, it takes more than one person to make a team successful.
This is especially true for Aston Martin in 2026, given that Honda’s engine will be central to any success they have. With that said, there is no denying that his arrival at the Silverstone factory is a huge move.
In many ways, his addition to the team is the final piece of the puzzle. Moving forward, there will be no excuse for Aston Martin to be anywhere other than the vert front.
