F1’s greatest designer is set for a shock move to Aston Martin
The long Adrian Newey saga is set to come to an end this month, and perhaps as early as next week, per reports.
Back in May Formula 1’s legendary engineer made the stunning announcement that he would be leaving Red Bull after the 2024 season. That announcement touched off rounds of praise around the Miami Grand Prix paddock from former Red Bull drivers, and sparked rampant speculation about where his career would head next.
Earlier this season reports surfaced that Aston Martin was in the driver’s seat to land the engineer, with Italian outlet Autosprint reporting that he would join the team on a whopping four-year contract worth $100 million. On Monday morning the Daily Mail offered additional reporting, outlining that Newey was persuaded by Lawrence Stroll’s vision for Aston Martin’s future. The team is in the middle of a significant overhaul that includes a massive new, purpose-built Silverstone-based campus. Furthermore, the team is switching to a Honda-supplied power unit for the 2026 season, just as the new regulations arrive.
In an interview with Bloomberg that was released Tuesday, Stroll addressed the ongoing speculation about an impending move by Newey to Aston Martin.
“I certainly hope so,” said Stroll about such a move. “Adrian and I have been talking not only for months but actually for years. Adrian is clearly the most talented and gifted individual in Formula One based on his track record and history.
“So I’d be very excited for Adrian to join our team, as I think every other Formula One team on the grid would feel exactly the same.”
According to multiple reports, the partnership could be announced next week, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Autosprint’s previous reporting outlined that any move by Newey would not be announced until this month, due to contractual language in Newey’s current contract with Red Bull. As reported by Autosport, “the agreement will be announced at the beginning of September because, until August, all contractual ties between the designer and Red Bull prevent any type of communication that is not linked to their employment relationship.”
This long saga may finally be coming to an end.
