When Adrian Newey made his first appearance at the track with Aston Martin, fans and teams alike turned their eyes to Monaco, and Christian Horner wasn’t shy with his opinions.
At the Monaco Grand Prix, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, humorously observed that seeing the legendary designer Adrian Newey in Aston Martin’s green attire was akin to witnessing “a giant bogey.” Newey, who has just joined Aston Martin, his trackside presence marks a significant change after his long tenure with Red Bull, where he was pivotal in their Formula 1 success with drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Horner expressed a sense of nostalgia and surprise as it was the first time seeing Newey in colors other than Red Bull’s. “It’s odd seeing him in green,” Horner said, emphasizing the surreal nature of the change. Despite his jesting tone, Horner acknowledged Newey’s dedication to racing, noting that Newey hardly ever missed a race, even during his time on gardening leave at McLaren.
The transition to Aston Martin is not just a change of scenery for Newey but also a new role as he stepped in as managing technical partner and team shareholder. According to Andy Cowell, Aston Martin’s team principal, Newey attended the race to understand the team’s methods during an F1 weekend, demonstrating his commitment to the new team despite already having strategic tasks mapped out for 2026.
Cowell elaborated that although Newey’s focus is primarily on the 2026 car, his insights still add value to the existing 2025 model. Newey discusses the technological tools, such as CFD and wind tunnels, which are crucial in assessing and enhancing the car’s performance through weekend operations. His role might focus on future developments, but his influence spans the entire team structure, benefiting immediate and long-term objectives.
His presence during the Monaco race aims to familiarize him with Aston Martin’s operational dynamics. Cowell highlighted that Newey’s experience doesn’t just boost morale but actively refines team strategy, helping them learn from successes and setbacks in real-time races. When asked about more appearances during the F1 2025 season, Cowell coyly suggested that it’s “possibly” on the cards.
With Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin, the Formula 1 world is looking keenly at how his expertise and fresh perspective will impact the team’s performance. As he adapts to this environment, the blend of his past success and innovative approach could be a game-changer for Aston Martin, making future races even more exciting.
