A Fresh Start at Aston Martin
The walls of Adrian Newey’s office at Aston Martin are already painted, marking a significant milestone in his transition from Red Bull to his new home. Andy Cowell, the team’s CEO, revealed this during testing in Bahrain. Newey, known for his penchant for adding a personal touch to his workspace, had previously caused a stir at McLaren with his colourful office, leaving Ron Dennis, the team boss, speechless. "Ron turned purple," Newey joked at the time. At Aston Martin, however, the colour of his design office won’t be a talking point. The office is ready, with the drawing board in place, awaiting Newey’s arrival.
Newey’s Journey to Aston Martin
Adrian Newey officially begins his tenure at Aston Martin today, marking the end of his period of gardening leave. On May 1, 2024, Red Bull announced what had been known for weeks: Newey was leaving the team he helped secure six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ championships. A few months later, on September 10, Aston Martin confirmed that Newey would be joining their ranks as the team’s next significant acquisition in Formula 1.
The New Leadership Structure
Since Newey’s announcement, Aston Martin has undergone several changes. Andy Cowell has taken on the dual role of team principal and CEO, and in November, the team communicated that Dan Fallows, who had previously worked with Newey at Red Bull, had been reassigned to a different role within the Aston Martin Group. This opened the door for a new technical leadership duo: Enrico Cardile, who joins from Ferrari, and Newey. Cardile has been appointed as the chief technical officer and will oversee the architecture, design, and build of the new cars. Newey’s official title is "Managing Technical Partner," and he will also become a co-shareholder of the Silverstone-based team.
A Proven Collaboration Model
The dual technical leadership model at Aston Martin is not new and has been successfully implemented at Red Bull. At Red Bull, Pierre Wache managed the daily operations as technical director, while Newey focused on the broader technical picture. Wache explained this division of roles: "He was not involved in the process on a daily basis but approached things more from the sidelines and constantly challenged us. That was very useful and happened in various ways, from mechanics to aerodynamics. He looked over our shoulders and asked, ‘Have you thought about this and have you thought about that?’ That feedback was extremely valuable to us." This method has proven successful, especially under the new regulations introduced in 2022, and it is expected to be replicated at Aston Martin with Cardile and Newey.
Uncertainty and Anticipation
While the structure at Aston Martin is clear, there are still some question marks surrounding the division of roles in Newey’s first weeks. One crucial question is when Enrico Cardile will actually start. Ferrari announced his departure in July 2024, but the duration of his gardening leave was not specified. Aston Martin did not disclose this information in their announcement, nor when Cowell was explicitly asked about it during winter testing in Bahrain. Despite multiple attempts to get a clear answer, Cowell remained tight-lipped, indicating that the team is not ready to reveal anything yet. This uncertainty adds a layer of anticipation as the team looks forward to the combined expertise of Newey and Cardile.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The challenges Newey faces at Aston Martin are significant. While his arrival is too late to shape the 2025 car, it is timely for improving it throughout the season and crucial for the new regulations in 2026. With Newey onboard, Honda as the engine supplier, and the team’s new facilities, all the pieces need to come together to take a major step forward in 2026. "Everybody’s super excited to work with Adrian. His record speaks for itself," Cowell said. "We’re looking forward to welcoming him on site, doing an induction for a new employee, and then getting stuck into creating the 2026 car and helping the improvements on 2025."
The focus on 2026 is paramount due to the gap between the top four teams and the rest, and the opportunities that the new regulations offer. Newey’s first few months will be crucial in laying the foundations for 2026, as most teams have already begun concept work for next year. Cowell emphasizes that Aston Martin’s concept department is already 100% focused on 2026, making Newey’s expertise invaluable in this critical phase. The balancing act between 2025 and 2026 is a delicate one, with Aston Martin aiming to separate the two projects as much as possible to ensure maximum focus and quality in both. As Newey settles into his state-of-the-art office, the challenges are clear, and the opportunities are vast, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in Aston Martin’s Formula 1 journey.
