F1 fans think Aston Martin are ‘serious’ about signing two drivers after Adrian Newey announcement

Aston Martin have confirmed that Adrian Newey will become their new team principal in 2026, which has created a huge wave of interest across social media.

Adrian Newey is the most successful designer in the history of Formula 1, but has never taken on a team principal role.

Andy Cowell has moved into a chief strategy officer role, meaning a new split in the responsibilities of Aston Martin’s two most senior personnel.

Is Lawrence Stroll giving Adrian Newey TOO MUCH responsibility ahead of 2026?

“Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year. He’s focussed on building a world-class team and getting them to work well together, as well as fostering a culture that puts the race car back at the heart of what we do.

“This leadership change is a mutual decision we have reached in the interest of the Team. We all look forward to continuing working with him in his new capacity as Chief Strategy Officer.

“I’m also pleased that Adrian Newey will step into the Team Principal role, which will enable him to make full use of his creative and technical expertise. Both these changes will ensure the Team is best placed to play to their collective strengths.”
Lawrence Stroll on Adrian Newey becoming Aston Martin team principal in 2026

One of the first decisions that Newey will have to make next season relates to his drivers.

Fernando Alonso has spoken about potentially retiring from F1, and Newey’s introduction might impact Lance Stroll’s seemingly perpetual rolling contract.

F1 Oversteer understands Aston Martin are planning for an all-new driver line-up in 2027, and fans have suggested which two drivers they think Newey could now attract to the team.

Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen celebrating on the podium at the 2023 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix — Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula 1 fans think Adrian Newey could try and sign Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in 2027

Fernando Alonso will hope Newey can guide Aston Martin to their first championship next year, but if he can’t, then it could bring his record-breaking F1 career to an end.

Fans took to social media after the news broke, and immediately started suggesting that Newey’s appointment could lead to Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc arriving at their Silverstone base in 2027.

One fan said: ‘Adrian Newey will be the team principal of Aston Martin from 2026. Wow. This is a declaration of war. They’re really serious about getting Verstappen and Leclerc.’

Another fan commented: ‘A cleverer chess move, thus making Aston Martin even more attractive to every top driver for the future. Actually tailor-made for Verstappen, Newey x Honda is his home.’

‘Adrian Newey x Max Verstappen x Charles Leclerc would be Formula 1 in its absolute form. In the long run, such a lineup doesn’t make sense, but I’d like to see it,’ suggested one comment.

How Adrian Newey became Formula 1’s most successful designer

One fan stated: ‘If there was any minimal possibility of seeing Alonso in 2027, it was with [Christian] Horner. With Newey as Boss, Verstappen in 2027 is a fact.’

Newey earned plenty of praise online, with another comment saying: ‘Even though it’s an interesting choice, there’s no such thing as not being able to handle increased authority. Newey was king at Red Bull, too. He can be both a manager and an engineer. This guy is a genius like Brawn.’

While another fan made a rather fitting prediction: ‘Newey with full powers, Alonso, Stroll, Aramco, Honda with the new PU…These guys either implode or in 2027 they’ve got Verstappen – Leclerc as their driver pairing.’

Adrian Newey ‘looking forward’ to new Aston Martin team principal role in 2026

Newey: “Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team.

“I’m looking forward to taking on this additional role as we put ourselves in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face an entirely new position with Aston Martin now a works team, combined with the considerable challenge faced by the new regulations.

“Andy’s new role, focusing on the integration of the new PU with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey.”

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have their say on Adrian Newey

“I mean, Adrian Newey doesn’t generally build bad cars. He’s built amazing cars over the years.

“My first championship car was an evolution of his car.

“He’s one of the only ones that draw by hand, the design of cars. So, his understanding there has defeinitely been an advantage.”
Lewis Hamilton talking about Adrian Newey in 2022

“You can always rely on his experience, and just as a person, he’s a great guy to chat to and relate to. Because he’s very bright, very smart, but he would also talk to the driver and then he would interpret that into the car, and try to imagine himself driving.

“I cannot deny that I would’ve preferred him to stay, just for how he is as a person, his knowledge and of course what he will bring to potentially another team if he wants to join.”
Max Verstappen when asked about Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull in 2024

Verstappen has previously been linked with Aston Martin before he committed his future to Red Bull in 2026.

His working relationship with Newey in the past was excellent, and if Red Bull underperform next year, it’s hard to see Aston Martin not being at the very top of Verstappen’s list of suitors.

Leclerc has also recently been linked with Aston Martin as his frustration with Ferrari grows.

The Monegasque driver is a championship-calibre driver; he just needs the right car underneath him, and who better to design it than Newey?

Follow us on

Features