Aston Martin’s Adrian Newey Enters ‘Design Trance’ as He Works on 2026 Car
Aston Martin’s chief designer, Adrian Newey, has revealed that he has entered a state of “design trance” as he works tirelessly on the team’s new car for the 2026 season. The 66-year-old, who joined Aston Martin from Red Bull last year, believes that the only way to attract four-time champion Max Verstappen to the team is to build a championship-winning car.
According to The Guardian, Newey has been working at full capacity on the 2026 car since he began working with Aston Martin in March. “I had a weekend off two weeks ago, other than that it’s been pretty much full on since I started,” he said. “My wife, she says I go into a design trance and I can understand what she means. When I get into this sort of period of intense concentration, where I tend to not see left and right, all my processing power is going into one area, which is trying to work with the design of a fast racing car.” (The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/24/adrian-newey-out-to-build-car-that-will-tempt-max-verstappen-to-aston-martin)
Newey’s switch to Aston Martin was one of the biggest coups in Formula One in recent years. He announced he was leaving Red Bull in April 2024 but could not contractually begin with Aston until this season. The team have repeatedly been linked to attempts to persuade Verstappen to join, and Newey believes that the Dutchman’s head would be turned only if he was offered the right machinery.
“Max is clearly a phenomenal talent, he’s a supreme competitor and part of that means that Max likes to break things down to a simple common equation,” Newey said. “That is choosing a team that he believes will deliver the fastest car, so if we’re to ever attract Max, the first thing we have to do is make a fast car.” (The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/24/adrian-newey-out-to-build-car-that-will-tempt-max-verstappen-to-aston-martin)
Newey’s reputation in F1 is second to none, and he is one of the most sought-after talents in the paddock. Cars he has played a key role in designing have taken 13 drivers’ and 13 constructors’ championships for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. Since his first with Nigel Mansell and Williams in 1992, he has helped secure titles for Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Häkkinen, Sebastian Vettel, and Verstappen.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll believes that persuading Newey to join the team is a statement of their intent in Formula One. Newey has signed a long-term deal, worth what is believed to be up to £30m a year, and will become a shareholder. He has also praised the team’s facilities, describing the factory as “probably the best factory in F1” and the wind tunnel as “arguably the best wind tunnel in F1”.
However, Newey also acknowledged that part of his task is to ensure the personnel, whom he praised as highly talented, are best able to exploit their potential. “The factory is probably the best factory in F1 and the wind tunnel is arguably the best wind tunnel in F1,” he said. “But ultimately wind tunnels are a bit like engine dynos, you need them and a really good wind tunnel, of course, but ultimately it’s not really the thing that makes the difference, it’s the human element of the design you put into it.” (The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/24/adrian-newey-out-to-build-car-that-will-tempt-max-verstappen-to-aston-martin)
As the team works towards the 2026 season, Newey’s influence will undoubtedly be crucial in shaping Aston Martin’s car. With his expertise and the team’s commitment to making them championship contenders, it will be interesting to see how they perform in the upcoming seasons.
Newey’s focus on the 2026 car is clear, and he has acknowledged that he is working “99%” on next year’s car. With his reputation and expertise, it is clear that Aston Martin is serious about competing at the top level of Formula One.
The team’s efforts to attract Verstappen will undoubtedly be boosted by Newey’s presence, and it will be interesting to see how the team’s car performs in the 2026 season. Only time will tell if Newey’s “design trance” will result in a championship-winning car, but one thing is certain – Aston Martin is committed to making a statement in the world of Formula One. (Source: The Guardian, [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/24/adrian-newey-out-to-build-car-that-will-tempt-max-verstappen-to-aston-martin)
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