Adrian Newey has officially joined Aston Martin as the team’s managing technical partner, with the goal of guiding them to the Formula 1 World Championship. The 65-year-old designer’s new role was announced on Tuesday at Aston Martin’s F1 headquarters in Silverstone.
Recognized as one of the greatest F1 designers in history, Newey has also acquired shares in Aston Martin. Although the team did not initially disclose the length of the contract, BBC Sport reports that it is a five-year deal potentially worth up to £30 million annually, including bonuses and additional incentives. This figure is believed to surpass the earnings of most F1 drivers, except for Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. According to Forbes, Newey’s earnings would place him behind only Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, and Tyson Fury among British sports figures.
Newey expressed admiration for Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll, citing his passion and commitment as major factors in his decision to join. Stroll has invested significantly in the team, including the construction of a new factory with a cutting-edge wind tunnel and a factory engine partnership with Honda starting in 2026. Honda has been supplying engines to the current world champions, Red Bull, since 2019.
Aston Martin also has two-time world champion Fernando Alonso under contract until the end of 2026, alongside Stroll’s son, Lance, as the team’s other driver. Stroll described Newey’s hiring as “a huge day, the most exciting day in the team’s history.” Alonso added, “It’s an incredible day for the team. Lawrence’s vision is taking shape with this building, Honda, Adrian – this is definitely the team of the future and for me it is going to be an incredible opportunity professionally to work with Adrian.”
Newey acknowledged the challenge of joining a new team, emphasizing that Stroll’s determination to build a world-beating team was a key motivation for him. He noted Stroll’s active engagement in the sport and the development of the new AMR Technology Campus and wind tunnel, which he believes will provide a strong foundation for Aston Martin’s success.
Newey will begin his role at Aston Martin in early March next year, committing full-time to the team, a departure from his previous role at Red Bull, where he divided his time between F1 and other responsibilities. “Once I start I will be fully in. I need to be, I have to be. This is something different. It is that fresh challenge, new stimulation, and so I always do what I feel is needed for the best of the team,” Newey stated.
He will collaborate with a team of engineers, including Dan Fallows, the technical director who previously worked with Newey at Red Bull, and Andy Cowell, the former Mercedes engine chief who will join as CEO on October 1. Enrico Cardile, former Ferrari chassis technical director, will assume the role of chief technical officer at an unspecified date in 2025.
Stroll described Newey’s appointment as a pivotal move, stating that he will be “the leader” and that his arrival would have a significant impact across the organization.
