Aston Martin hopes Adrian Newey’s brilliance will transform its fortunes, but experts warn success requires more than just one man’s magic.
Adrian Newey’s arrival at Aston Martin has sent ripples through the paddock. Fernando Alonso believes the legendary designer’s influence could be felt within weeks, but not everyone is convinced.
At 66, Newey left Red Bull last year amid internal turmoil and is now settling into his new role after serving his mandatory ‘gardening leave.’ But Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko is downplaying the impact of his departure.
“Formula 1 is a small world, and teams are always evolving. No driver or top engineer has ever stayed with just one team,” Marko said.
“Newey wasn’t working full-time for us anymore—he was only at the factory a few days a week. He had already built a wider group of engineers. It’s no longer about one person doing everything; it’s a team effort.”
“He’s a genius, no doubt, but he still needs the right people around him.”
Alonso, meanwhile, admits he has yet to speak with the design mastermind but is optimistic about what’s to come.
“I haven’t had any feedback from Adrian yet because I haven’t spoken to him. But from what I hear from Andy (Green) and the engineers, he’s already settled in at Silverstone. His first priority has been getting to know the team and meeting everyone,” Alonso shared.
“It’s early days, but he’s very focused and excited about the future, especially with the 2026 regulations in mind.”
“I hope we’ll see some of his magic in the coming weeks and months. I’m looking forward to speaking with him in person when I return to Europe to hear his thoughts on where we stand.”
As for Aston Martin’s 2025 challenger, Alonso, 43, is keeping expectations in check.
“It’s better than what we had before, but it’s not 100% there yet.”
Briatore: “One man alone won’t change everything”
Alpine F1 advisor Flavio Briatore has warned Aston Martin against expecting instant miracles from Newey.
“One man can help, but he cannot change everything,” Briatore cautioned.
“Adrian is Formula 1’s true artist, but he still needs a team capable of bringing his ideas to life.”
Meanwhile, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who regularly spends time with Newey and his manager Eddie Jordan in Cape Town, believes the engineer is already thinking ahead.
“He’s fully focused on next year,” Schumacher said.
“We’ll likely see new faces joining from Red Bull or other teams. But I don’t expect Aston Martin and Alonso to be truly competitive before 2026.”
“This season is more about staying afloat while they restructure. I think it will be another tough year for them. But next season? That will be a different Aston Martin, with new people working around Newey. I’m almost certain of it.”
Aston Martin may be banking on Newey’s magic, but the road to success in Formula 1 is never a one-man show.
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Can Newey’s Genius Fast-Track Aston Martin’s F1 Comeback? Can Newey’s Genius Fast-Track Aston Martin’s F1 Comeback?
