BREAKING in F1: Aston Martin Signs Adrian Newey
Formula 1 woke up this Tuesday to the official announcement of the hiring of the most sought-after chief engineer in motorsport by Aston Martin.
Aston Martin's Formula One team, where Spanish driver Fernando Alonso currently competes, announced on Tuesday the signing of Adrian Newey as their new Chief Engineer.
Newey, 65, had been with Red Bull since 2005, where he designed the RB19, the most dominant car in F1 history, winning 21 of 22 races in a season. He also played a key role in securing seven world championships and over 200 Grand Prix victories.
The British engineer has signed a five-year deal with Aston Martin, worth around £30 million, including bonuses and performance-related incentives.
Newey will begin working with Aston Martin in March 2025, with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, as the team's primary drivers.
“I’m thrilled to join Aston Martin. The passion and commitment that Lawrence puts into everything he does is truly inspiring. He wants to create a winning team. With Honda (engine supplier) and Aramco (title sponsor), all the pieces are in place to make Aston Martin a world champion, and I’m excited to contribute to that goal,” Newey said during his unveiling at Silverstone on Tuesday.
At Aston Martin, Newey will collaborate with Dan Fallows, an aerodynamics expert he worked with at Red Bull between 2006 and 2021, Andy Cowell, head of engines, and Enrico Cardile, who was Ferrari’s former chassis technical director.
“Adrian is the best in the world at what he does,” team owner Lawrence Stroll said. “This is the biggest story since Aston Martin returned to Formula One and another sign of our ambition to build a championship-winning car,” he added.
With new regulations coming in 2026, Aston Martin hopes to improve on its five-year tenure in Formula One. The British team has not secured a win since 2021, but Fernando Alonso achieved eight podium finishes in 2023.
However, the AMR24 has not met expectations this year, with the team accumulating just 74 points and currently sitting fifth in the Constructors' Championship.