Adrian Newey: Aston Martin confirms signing of Formula 1 designer

Adrian Newey says he joined Aston Martin to lead them to the Formula 1 world championship.

The 65-year-old designer’s new contract, with the title of managing technical partner, was announced on Tuesday at the team’s Formula 1 base in Silverstone.

Newey, who is considered the best Formula 1 designer in history, has also become a shareholder in Aston Martin.

The team did not initially disclose how long the deal will last, but BBC Sport has learned it is for a five-year contract worth up to £30million a year, including bonuses and perks.

Newey said he was “hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and dedication” of team owner Lawrence Stroll.

The Canadian billionaire has already invested hundreds of millions in a new factory, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, and has signed a partnership with Honda for engine production from 2026.

The Japanese company has been supplying Red Bull, the current world champion, since 2019.

Aston Martin also has two-time world champion Fernando Alonso under contract until the end of 2026. The team’s other driver is Stroll’s son Lance.

Newey said: “Lawrence is determined to create a team that will beat the world. He is the only majority team owner who is actively involved in the sport.

“His involvement can be seen in the development of the new AMR Technology Campus and wind tunnel at Silverstone, which are not only state-of-the-art but also have a layout that creates a great working environment.

“They have all the key infrastructure in place to help Aston Martin become a world champion team and I am very much looking forward to helping them achieve that goal.”

Lawrence Stroll said he was “incredibly proud” that Newey had decided to join Aston Martin. Newey has also had discussions with Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Alpine.

“Adrian is the best in the world at what he does, he is at the peak of his powers.

“It is the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and further evidence of our ambition to build a Formula 1 team capable of challenging for world championships.

“As soon as Adrian became available we knew we had to do it.

“Our initial conversations confirmed that there was a shared desire to work together on a unique opportunity.

“Adrian is a racer and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. He quickly understood what we wanted to achieve. We are serious about it – and so is he.”

Newey will join Aston Martin from early March next year, joining a team of engineers in which Stroll has already invested heavily.

The team’s technical director is Dan Fallows, an aerodynamicist who worked under Newey at Red Bull from 2006 to 2021.

Former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell, who laid the foundations for the development of the benchmark engine in Formula 1’s hybrid era, will take over as CEO on October 1.

Enrico Cardile, former Ferrari technical director, will take up the role of technical director at an as yet undisclosed date in 2025.