Source – Formula1.com
The finest car designer in Formula One, Adrian Newey, will be joining Aston Martin for the 2025 season after leaving Red Bull.
Adrian Newey, one of the most revered figures in Formula One design history, is set to make a monumental shift in the sport as he joins Aston Martin as Managing Technical Partner in March 2025. The announcement has sent ripples through the F1 paddock, marking the end of an era at Red Bull, where Newey’s cars have dominated for nearly two decades. His decision to step away from the championship-winning team and take on a new challenge at Aston Martin underscores his relentless drive for innovation and competition.
Newey, 65, has long been considered the gold standard of car designers in Formula One, with his career yielding an unmatched 25 drivers’ and constructors’ championships. His time at Red Bull, Williams, and McLaren saw him create some of the most successful and iconic cars in the sport’s history. The 2023 Red Bull car, which claimed a staggering 21 wins from 22 races, cemented its place as the most dominant machine in Formula One history, and it stands as a testament to Newey’s genius. However, even after decades of success, Newey is not one to rest on his laurels.
In a statement made during the official announcement on Tuesday, Newey expressed his excitement about joining Aston Martin, lauding team owner Lawrence Stroll for his commitment and passion. “I am thrilled to be joining the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team,” Newey said. “Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team. He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport. They have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team, and I am very much looking forward to helping reach that goal.”
The move aligns Newey with an organization that has aggressively recruited top-tier talent and made substantial investments to compete at the front of the grid. Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian billionaire at the helm of Aston Martin, has been unwavering in his ambition to elevate the team to world champion status. Under his leadership, Aston Martin has undergone significant transformation, including the expansion of its state-of-the-art facility at Silverstone and the addition of high-profile names such as former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell and ex-Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile.
Newey’s arrival is a major coup for Aston Martin, a team that is striving to break into the top echelon of Formula One. Currently, Aston Martin sits fifth in the constructors’ standings, but the team has lofty aspirations, particularly with the announcement of a new exclusive engine partnership with Honda starting in 2026. This partnership will mark the next phase of Aston Martin’s journey, as they seek to challenge for the championship in the sport’s upcoming engine era and major rules overhaul. Newey’s experience and expertise will be pivotal in helping the team prepare for this significant change, and his cars will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of the Silverstone-based squad.
Newey’s transition to Aston Martin also opens a new chapter in his career, allowing him to work with Fernando Alonso, the 43-year-old double world champion who currently drives for the team. Newey had previously expressed his regret at never having had the opportunity to collaborate with Alonso, but now, with the Spaniard still in the cockpit, that dream becomes a reality. For Alonso, the arrival of Newey represents another reason to believe that Aston Martin can achieve greatness, as he continues his quest for a third world title.
The decision to leave Red Bull, where Newey has enjoyed unprecedented success, was not made lightly. However, the British designer has always thrived on new challenges. Earlier this year, he made clear his intentions to seek fresh horizons after achieving all he could with the Milton Keynes-based team. While Ferrari and McLaren were reportedly in the hunt to secure Newey’s services, it was Aston Martin that ultimately won him over, thanks to Stroll’s ambitious vision and the rapidly growing infrastructure at Silverstone. The specifics of Newey’s contract have not been disclosed, though reports suggest his salary could reach £20 million annually, underscoring the significance of his move.
For Lawrence Stroll, securing Newey’s services is a defining moment in Aston Martin’s modern Formula One journey. “Adrian is the best in the world at what he does—he is at the top of his game,” Stroll said, brimming with excitement at the announcement. “It’s the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula One team capable of fighting for world championships.”
As the 2025 season looms, the timing of Newey’s arrival couldn’t be more critical. With the Australian Grand Prix set to kick off on March 16, just days after Newey assumes his role at Aston Martin, the team’s preparation will begin in earnest. The 2025 season marks the final championship before Formula One embarks on its next major rules revamp in 2026, when new engine regulations come into play. For Aston Martin, having Newey at the helm during this crucial period will provide a significant advantage, as his cars have consistently pushed the envelope of innovation in every era of the sport.
Adrian Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull for Aston Martin represents a seismic shift in the competitive landscape of Formula One. With the combination of his technical brilliance, Stroll’s financial backing, and the promise of a new era at Aston Martin, the future of the team looks brighter than ever. The countdown to 2025 has already begun, and the paddock will be watching closely to see just how far this new partnership can go.
