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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFernando Alonso has welcomed Adrian Newey’s appointment to team principal at Aston Martin. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFernando Alonso has welcomed Adrian Newey’s appointment to team principal at Aston Martin. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Aston Martin confirmed the restructure ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, with Newey set to take over as team principal next year<\/a> as Andy Cowell becomes Chief Strategy Officer.<\/p>\n The shift formalises what Alonso suggested had already been a natural progression inside the outfit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is good news,\u201d Alonso said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was managing the technical development of the car, but also the team and taking care of the areas we needed to reinforce, so internally, he was doing a lot of the management, and Andy was doing a lot of the management on the engine side and engine integration to the chassis.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso explained that the transition appeared inevitable as the team prepares its Honda-powered 2026 package.<\/p>\n \u201cSo maybe it was a normal logical step, so in 2026, we have the two best people, one doing the chassis and one doing the engine integration,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a very strong leader with Lawrence, so between the three of them, we are in good hands.\u201d<\/p>\n The two-time champion emphasised that Newey\u2019s intensely performance-driven mindset will now influence every corner of the organisation.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Adrian, there is only one style, which is performance; there is no other work,\u201d Alonso explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is just the unlimited search for performance and perfection.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a great competitor, a great leader, so the whole team, and it is not that we are not into the performance direction now, it will become even more extreme.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso also pointed to the value Newey and Cowell bring to a team that has expanded rapidly in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot forget this team is still very new,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team grew up quickly in the last two or three years, so a lot of our employees are new to the sport, and these young, energetic people need the guidance of Adrian and these great leaders to teach them how to succeed in Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have two of the most successful individuals ever in the sport, Andy Cowell and Adrian Newey.\u201d<\/p>\n He described the leadership change as \u201ca logical change\u201d and noted Newey\u2019s experience at championship-winning outfits will be crucial.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great news for the team to have Adrian, with all his expertise and knowledge about everything that a team should need to compete at the highest level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think [Newey] has all the skills, to be honest, to make a fast car. The role of Team Principal is a bit different nowadays and you have to deal with other things \u2013 media, commitments, sponsors.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope Adrian doesn\u2019t have to do all of those and can concentrate on the more important stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows how to operate a team and how everyone should focus in one direction, so he\u2019s a great leader and I\u2019m happy with this announcement.\u201d<\/p>\n Lance Stroll echoed Alonso\u2019s enthusiasm, highlighting the impact Newey has already had since joining Aston Martin as managing technical partner.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s great for the team,\u201d Stroll said. \u201cHe\u2019s been managing a lot of things back at the factory for the last few months since he joined.<\/p>\n \u201cTo have him in that position is positive for the whole team. I think he\u2019s going to be around this weekend too so it\u2019s all good.\u201d<\/p>\n The Canadian also stressed how deeply involved Newey has become across the organisation.<\/p>\n \u201cI know he\u2019s much more than just an aerodynamicist or a car designer,\u201d Stroll added.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, his main priority is the car and he\u2019s completely on top of it. It\u2019s his project, his baby.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s also heavily involved in managing the people and the culture of the team and extracting the most out of everyone in every position in the whole company.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s working in many different avenues.\u201d<\/p>\n Aston Martin currently sits eighth in the 2025 constructors\u2019 standings.<\/p>\n 2025 F1 Qatar Grand Prix \u2013 Schedule, how to watch, TV times & more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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