Adrian Newey’s former driver pinpoints why he isn’t ‘the right man’ to lead Aston Martin in 2026

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Adrian Newey will take up his new role of team principal at Aston Martin ahead of next season, and one driver whom he used to work under doesn’t quite believe it’s the right choice.

So far, the decision has been welcomed with open arms at Aston Martin.

Adrian Newey addressed the on-site crew at the Qatar Grand Prix, to which Ted Kravitz saw being met with ‘instant respect’ from staff.

The design genius is expected to lead the British constructor into F1’s new 2026 regulations next season.

Newey has been at the drawing board since officially joining the team in March, and hopes to give Fernando Alonso a car that is capable of winning a third world championship that has eluded him for so long.

During his early days working in motorsport, the now 66-year-old spent a short time as the race engineer to Christian Danner in Formula 2.

The partnership didn’t last long, however, with the German driver requesting a replacement not long after they joined forces.

• READ MORE: Aston Martin insider says the team are ‘completely out of control’ as Adrian Newey takes over

Christian Danner says Adrian Newey is not ‘the right man’ to be Aston Martin’s team principal

In a discussion on Motorsport-Magazin’s latest podcast, Danner was asked about his former race engineer’s promotion within the ranks of the Silverstone-based Formula 1 outfit.

The former F1 driver gave an unfiltered verdict, saying, “Adrian as team principal? Of course, he isn’t the right man for the job, but that’s not what this is about. Adrian wants to be left in peace.

“He wants to go his own way, which he believes is the right way, and he doesn’t want to be politically prevented in any way from doing what he thinks is right.

“You have to acknowledge that 100% and say, that’s how he works best. And that’s why it’s best for him to be the boss, so he doesn’t have to do the work, because every meeting and all the little things and all the administrative work that a team principal has to do, all the political stuff.

“I think Mike Krack will have his work cut out for him again and will take that off his hands. Adrian is certainly not someone who makes administrative tasks his purpose in life. He’s a technician, and that’s exactly where he needs all the freedom in the world.

“They’ve given him this little move. He’s now simply the boss, and that’s why no one can decide against him.

“But the work of the team principal, especially the, let’s say, less technical things, there will be other people who will take that off his hands.”

• READ MORE: Adrian Newey displayed an ‘unseen’ talent at the Qatar Grand Prix that Fernando Alonso loved

A potential role for Christian Horner at Aston Martin is up for debate

Before Newey’s future move was announced, it had been speculated that Christian Horner was in the running to replace Andy Cowell as Aston Martin’s team principal.

The aerodynamicist’s promotion threw a potential role for his former boss into question.

The 66-year-old initially left the Horner-led Red Bull team due to differing opinions with the British executive, but they have since worked things out.

However, Newey has already hired one former chief from Red Bull, which suggests a reunion at Silverstone could be on the cards.

Team owner Lawrence Stroll has made it clear that Horner won’t be joining, but it is believed that the billionaire was only talking about immediate plans.

The former Red Bull boss could still lay roots at Aston Martin further down the line.