Despite his advanced age of 65, Adrian Newey was able to choose his new employer. Four teams, Ferrari, Williams, Alpine, and Aston Martin, had all made intensive efforts to recruit him. Mercedes, Audi, and McLaren also reportedly made tentative inquiries but fell off relatively early in the process.
In the end, Aston Martin won the race. In a ceremonial press conference at the newly constructed team headquarters in Silverstone, the prominent new hire was introduced to the public on Tuesday (September 10). Newey’s role was officially titled “Managing Technical Partner.” Team owner Lawrence Stroll has thus found his kingpin for the company’s championship title aspirations.
Newey is already the third high-profile engineer that Aston Martin has signed this year, following Enrico Cardile and Andy Cowell. However, it will still take some time before the trio begins their work. After serving his work ban, Newey will not be available until early March 2025. He received a rousing welcome from his new colleagues during the presentation at the Silverstone factory. In the press conference, the “superbrain” explained why he chose Aston Martin.
Aston Martin
A Newey doesn’t come for free. Not every team can afford his million-euro salary.
Point 1: The Contract and Salary
Of course, Adrian Newey has earned plenty of money in the last four decades in Formula 1. But one cannot get the best designer of the current generation for free. None other than Eddie Jordan was responsible for the salary negotiations. The former team principal is still regarded as a tough negotiator in the scene. As the BBC has learned, Aston Martin must pay up to 35 million euros per year in bonus payments if successful. Even Ferrari eventually withdrew from the bidding war at these sums. “For what he brings here, he is a bargain,” Stroll is sure.
Newey will also become a shareholder and partner in the management of Aston Martin, which the competition could not easily offer. However, money was not the only important point in the contract. Newey wanted a deal that gives him all the freedom and has a long-term duration. Reports suggest a minimum term of five years. Only then can the fruits of his work be harvested. Success in Formula 1 is known not to come overnight.
His new boss evidently also played a significant role in Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin in the end: “I have known Lawrence for several years. Team owners today are as important as team principals used to be. I am impressed by the passion and commitment he shows here. He wants to build a team that beats the whole world. He always follows his path straightforwardly, and when necessary, he bets all his chips on black. He demonstrates that here as well.”
Aston Martin
On green fields, Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll built a state-of-the-art F1 factory with new test stands, simulators, and a wind tunnel.
Point 2: The Modern Infrastructure
In the week leading up to the Canadian Grand Prix, Lawrence Stroll sent all employees home early to personally show Adrian Newey the new factory in Silverstone. The visit from the prominent guest was supposed to remain secret, but that didn’t work out. “I think this visit was extremely important,” Stroll explained proudly. “It’s always hard to describe these three spectacular buildings with words if you haven’t seen them yourself. It shows our intention to win.”
With the new infrastructure, Newey can realize all his wishes. This would not have been possible immediately at Williams or Audi. By the latest, all test stands, the new simulator, and the new wind tunnel are expected to be operational for the 2025 season. Recent developments have shown how important a modern wind tunnel is, particularly illustrated by the meteoric rise of McLaren. Since the Papaya team has been operating the new facility in Woking, things have been looking up.
At Aston Martin, Newey will also be allowed to help decide how to best utilize the new tools. “This infrastructure is simply breathtaking. It’s not easy to create something like this from scratch and then establish a good working atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, and there is good communication between departments. I’ve seen other new facilities where that was not the case,” Newey praised the new factory.
In contrast to his part-time work at Red Bull, Newey wants to work full-time at Aston and bring his drawing board to the office on-site to fully engage. “At Red Bull, I took a step back recently. With the change in the technical regulations, there is a new stimulation and a fresh challenge. I always do what I feel is best for what the team needs.”
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During his time at Red Bull, Newey learned to appreciate Honda’s work.
Point 3: The Honda Engine
With the transition to a new technical era in 2026, Formula 1 will once again become a series where the engine counts most. The complex power units, which deliver half their power in the form of electrical energy to the rear axle, pose significant challenges for all manufacturers.
With the new engine partner Honda, Newey has a familiar name by his side, which he learned to value at Red Bull. “I’ve always enjoyed working with Honda over the last six years and I’m glad that the collaboration continues. The interaction has always been very smooth,” the engineer praised the Japanese. “The rules represent a complete restart, bringing both opportunities and risks. In the future, good interaction between the engine and chassis will be more important than ever.”
His old team Red Bull, on the other hand, will have to develop its own power unit for the first time in its history. This creates many question marks and uncertainties. Another point in favor of Aston Martin is the gasoline. The new racing fuel must be produced CO2-neutral and must also work in regular road cars. The new fuel partner Aramco has built up considerable expertise in the field of racing e-fuels in recent years and could become an important factor.
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Adrian Newey has worked with many world champions. Fernando Alonso has always been on his wishlist.
Point 4: The Collaboration with Alonso
Adrian Newey has often hinted that he would like to work with a great driver like Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton at the end of his career. However, working with both drivers at the same time wasn’t feasible. Ultimately, the overall package favored Aston Martin over Ferrari. Other candidates had no F1 legends to offer to attract the star designer.
Alonso is considered an engineer in the cockpit among experts. The record starter in Formula 1 has a wealth of experience to draw from. He is the extended arm of the engineers behind the wheel, able to identify immediately where the car’s weaknesses lie. Moreover, Newey knows that Alonso still has the necessary ambition to outshine the young competitors and celebrate his third championship title.
“Over the years, we’ve had many battles. At times, he was almost an archrival for us. After the 2008 season, we at Red Bull came close to signing him. Unfortunately, that didn’t quite work out back then. He is a legend in our sport. I’m really looking forward to working with him,” Newey praised the double champion.
The Spaniard returned the compliment: “We’ve been racing against each other for many years. I would describe him as an inspiration. Thanks to Adrian and his cars, we as drivers, engineers, and teams have improved. Due to him, everyone had to step up to keep up. For me, it’s a fantastic opportunity to work with Adrian now. There’s so much to learn. It’s also an incredible day for the team. Lawrence’s vision is taking shape more and more. This is the team of the future.”
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The name Aston Martin has always held an allure for Newey.
Point 5: The Name Aston Martin
Adrian Newey is a traditionalist. It was clear that he would switch to a major brand after his time at Red Bull. “After Ferrari, Aston Martin is probably the most legendary brand in the automotive world. I already have a connection with the Valkyrie. I also own a few classic Astons. So I am already familiar with the brand and its magic,” the constructor was pleased to say. At Aston Martin, he can not only build the Formula 1 car but also realize road projects, should he wish, as he already did with the Valkyrie.
Besides the great history, the current sporting situation likely played a role as well. If Newey leads a midfield team like Aston Martin to the title, it would be personally more credited to him than if it were with Ferrari, Mercedes, or McLaren. “I wanted a fresh start and a new challenge,” Newey explained when asked why he didn’t just retire.
Also important is the location of the factory, which ultimately favored Aston Martin over Ferrari or Audi. Newey is firmly rooted on the British Isles. At the age of 65, one begins to particularly appreciate the comfort of short commute times, especially since Newey, as mentioned, wants to work more intensively in the office than he did at Red Bull. At Ferrari, he would have had to adapt to a completely new culture. Whether that would have been compatible with Newey’s specific working style, we unfortunately will never find out.