Adrian Newey still questions Frank Williams’ bold claim that ‘annoyed’ F1 design icon

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Adrian Newey won five constructors’ and four drivers’ titles with Williams back in the 1990s, but still does not agree with one thing Frank Williams ‘annoyed’ him by saying.

The Formula 1 design guru was a pivotal part of the hierarchy that made Williams a force to be reckoned with in the pinnacle of motorsport. Newey was a fundamental person in Grove from 1991 to 1996 and helped to lead the creation of the FW14B with its active suspension.

No championship titles were beside Newey’s name before he joined Williams and saw Nigel Mansell win the crown in 1992. Williams would even win the constructors’ title each season bar 1995 between 1992 and 1997, while adding further driver titles in 1993, 1996 and 1997.

Frank Williams ‘annoyed’ Adrian Newey by claiming he’s F1’s ‘most competitive person’

But Newey’s relationship with team founder Williams was not always a harmonious affair. It was also down to Williams refusing to give the Briton shares in the Grove squad that Newey went to McLaren in 1997. He already had clauses in his contract for a say in major decisions.

It was not only how Williams and Patrick Head ran the team that sometimes rubbed Newey the wrong way, as well. The Formula 1 design guru has admitted that he still does not agree with Williams for claiming that Newey was the ‘most competitive person’ in the sport then.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

Newey was taken aback by Williams’ claim at the time and still does not want to consider it to be true. The Briton also feels that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll – with whom he will work with once Newey quits Red Bull to join Aston Martin in 2025 – are just as competitive.

“My pressure comes from within. It doesn’t come from without,” Newey said, via quotes by Motorsport-Total: “I remember Frank Williams, I think it was in 1991, saying to me that he felt I was the most competitive person in the pit lane.

“And I remember being a little bit annoyed about it at the time. I didn’t really know what he meant, and I’m not sure he’s right either. I don’t want to say that, for example, Fernando or Lance or whoever is less competitive.”

Joining Aston Martin in 2025 is proof of Adrian Newey’s enduring competitiveness

Newey may not agree with Williams for claiming he was the ‘most competitive’ person in F1 in the 1990s, or that he is now, yet the legendary designer still holds a real burning desire to compete at the sharp end of the grid. It was one facet behind his move to join Aston Martin.

September saw Aston Martin announce that Newey will join in March 2025 after leaving his role as chief technical officer of Red Bull this May. Every team in the pit lane at least studied what it would cost to sign the 65-year-old, who has won 12 teams’ and 13 drivers’ titles yet.

Newey accepted Lawrence Strolls’ offer to join Aston Martin, which included shares in the Silverstone squad, as he felt it was time for a new challenge. How much Stroll has invested in turning Aston Martin into a competitive outfit also proved particularly appealing for him.

If Newey was not at least a very competitive person, if not the most competitive figure in F1, he might have walked away from the series instead of joining Aston Martin. The team are so far yet to win a single Grand Prix in Formula 1, let alone a title, and only boast nine podiums.