Adrian Newey is now firmly settled into his new role at Aston Martin, as they rely on his expertise to oversee the design of their car for the major 2026 F1 regulations overhaul.
Never before has Formula 1 torn apart its rulebook and started again to such an extent. The pinnacle of motorsport has overhauled the aerodynamic and engine regulations in its bid to boost the spectacle, but also the sustainability, of the series with lighter cars from next year.
So, Newey deciding to leave Red Bull in May 2024 convinced Aston Martin to bet big on the Briton, who officially took charge as their managing technical partner in March. The 66-year-old is the most successful F1 car designer, having won 12 constructors’ and 14 drivers’ titles.
Aston Martin made Newey a 5% shareholder to secure his signature, as well, having battled competition from most of the grid. But his task to turn Aston Martin from midfield regulars into title contenders has been hindered by what the Silverstone team did before he arrived.
Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty ImagesAdrian Newey admits Aston Martin did ‘little’ work on the 2026 F1 regulations before he joined
F1 stipulated that no teams could start working on their cars for the 2026 regulations before January 2025 to try to prevent any one outfit from gaining a lasting advantage. But Newey is now ‘playing catch-up’ as he admits Aston Martin did ‘little’ work before he joined in March.
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TEAMMULTIPLIERWIND TUNNEL RUNSWIND ON HOURSWIND TUNNEL USAGE HOURSGEOMETRIESCFD MAuhMcLaren70%2245628014004.2Mercedes75%2406030015004.5Ferrari80%2566432016004.8Red Bull85%2726834017005.1Williams90%2887236018005.4Haas95%3047638019005.7Racing Bulls100%3208040020006.0Aston Martin105%3368442021006.3Sauber110%3528844022006.6Alpine115%3689246024006.9Cadillac 115% 3689246023006.9Every F1 team’s testing allowances in the second half of 2025
Aston Martin’s delay leaves them behind the curve for the 2026 F1 regulations, which bring active aerodynamics for the first time. F1 included movable wings to help to ease concerns that the 2026 engines featuring a 50/50 electrical/combustion split might run out of power.
Honda are also leaving Red Bull to join Aston Martin as their works engine partner from the 2026 F1 season, to place another hurdle in the Silverstone team’s design path. So, Newey is having to prepare Aston Martin’s car for a different engine after 17 seasons with Mercedes.
Newey admitted, via quotes by F1-Insider: “You’re practically always playing catch-up. Until March, little had been done here for 2026. A little, of course, but we’ve had a huge amount of work to do since then.”
Aston Martin might have to make compromises for the start of the 2026 F1 regulations
Aston Martin’s owner, Lawrence Stroll, is betting the house on the 2026 F1 regulations being what takes them to the front of the grid, hence his all-out pursuit of Newey. But the scale of the task is not lost on Newey, and he admits Aston Martin could have to make compromises.
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey
The new rules will reduce the size of a Formula 1 car, with the maximum wheelbase reduced by 200mm to 3400mm and the width cut by 100mm to 1900mm. Next term’s cars will also have a minimum weight of 768kg, but there are fears the 2026 F1 cars could start out heavy.
So, with Aston Martin ‘playing catch-up’, Newey concedes that compromises may be key for the start of the 2026 F1 regulations era. It also does not help their situation that Newey has raised concerns about Aston Martin’s simulator as he quickly saw issues with its correlation.
Newey added: “These are the layout of the front and rear suspension, the fuel tank size and the wheelbase.
“On the one hand, we don’t have enough time and, on the other, our simulation tools may be a bit weak. So, we have to try to make the best possible assessments. If necessary, the body and wings can be adjusted during the season.”