Adrian Newey Joins Aston Martin F1

It’s official: Adrian Newey is not done with Formula 1 and has arguably taken on his final challenge by accepting the staggering offer from Lawrence Stroll and Aston Martin F1, after failing to reach an agreement with Ferrari and Frédéric Vasseur, as the Frenchman revealed on Monday.

Starting next year, he will become the chief technical partner of the Silverstone team, which, as announced by team shareholder Lawrence Stroll, will be powered by Honda from 2026.

Approaching 66 years old (on December 26), the British engineer has already achieved every success in Formula 1 with the cars he designed for Williams and McLaren in the 1990s and 2000s, before doing the same with the Red Bull Racing team from 2010 to 2013 and from 2021 to 2023. What 2024 holds for his latest creation for the Austrian team remains to be seen.

Indeed, after 19 years at Red Bull marked by seven World Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships, Newey announced in the spring his departure. He left little doubt that he did not want a definitive retirement and will thus remain in England for a few more years in the pinnacle of motorsport.

“I am thrilled to join the Aston Martin F1 Team. I have been greatly inspired and impressed by Lawrence’s passion and commitment to everything he undertakes,” said Newey. “Lawrence is committed to building a world-class team.”

“He is the only majority owner of a team actively engaged in the sport. His commitment is evidenced by the development of the new AMR technical campus and the Silverstone wind tunnel, which are not only cutting-edge but also create an ideal work environment.”

“With outstanding partners like Honda and Aramco, they have all the infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship team, and I am eager to contribute to achieving this goal.”

“The same desire” between Stroll and Newey

Lawrence Stroll did not hide his joy in recruiting Newey, which he described as the biggest news for the team since its inception: “Adrian is the best in the world at what he does – he is at the top of his game – and I am incredibly proud that he is joining Aston Martin F1.”

“This is the biggest news since the name of Aston Martin returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula 1 team capable of fighting for world championships.”

“As soon as Adrian was available, we knew we had to make this project a reality. Our initial conversations confirmed that we share the same desire to collaborate on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“Adrian is a competitor and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. When he saw what we had built at Silverstone – our incredible AMR technology campus, the group of talented people we have brought together, and the brand new wind tunnel – he quickly understood what we are trying to achieve.”

“We are serious, and so is he. Adrian shares our hunger and ambition, believes in this project, and will help us write the next chapter in Aston Martin F1’s history.”