Aston Martin F1 chief ‘absolutely certain’ they’ve already wasted one great Adrian Newey opportunity

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Aston Martin secured a coup when the Silverstone squad beat interest from most of the paddock to sign F1 design legend Adrian Newey after he opted to leave Red Bull.

No one in history is as successful as Newey, as the 66-year-old has designed 14 F1 drivers’ championship and 12 constructors’ championship winning cars. His achievements have even spanned three decades, seven drivers, three teams and a host of regulation changes to date.

So, when Newey decided to leave Red Bull after 18 years, Aston Martin made sure they won the race for his services ahead of the 2026 F1 aerodynamic and engine regulations. The new rules could reset the order of the grid next term, as it is the largest regulatory overhaul ever.

Andy Cowell is ‘certain’ Aston Martin would be more competitive if Adrian Newey worked on their 2025 F1 car

Newey rejected a move to Ferrari before taking charge as Aston Martin’s managing technical partner on March 1. To secure his services, Aston Martin made Newey a 5% shareholder and also allowed him free rein to ignore the 2025 F1 season and focus on the 2026 rules, as well.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 aero and engine regulations

Had Aston Martin wanted Newey to help improve their 2025 car, the ARM25, CEO and team principal Andy Cowell is ‘certain’ that the Silverstone natives would be in a stronger position. Aston Martin hit the summer break sixth in the constructors’ standings after their poor start.

“This year is hugely challenging because we’re here, and what we really want is to have the quickest car,” Cowell told RacingNews365. “And if ‘26 wasn’t there, we would definitely have a quicker car today.

“If, from the 1st of March, Adrian had put all his efforts into improving the ‘25 car, [I am] absolutely certain that we would be further up the grid today. But we’re not doing that.

“We’re focusing on ‘26 onwards because the investment will pay off over more racing seasons, over more events. And that’s challenging.”

Aston Martin want Adrian Newey to focus on F1’s 2026 regulations given the long-term benefits

Aston Martin were only eighth in the constructors’ standings after round eight in Monaco in May, thanks to the 14 points that Lance Stroll scored across rounds one and two in Australia and China. But Fernando Alonso and Stroll recorded 26 and 12 points in the six rounds since.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey

The halo, floor, diffuser, engine cover and beam wing updates that Aston Martin debuted at Imola ultimately began to pay off from the Spanish Grand Prix, where Alonso scored his first points this year. Only in the Belgian GP has neither Aston Martin driver scored a point since.

Now, should Aston Martin maintain their current trajectory, they could go on to secure their third successive fifth-place in the constructors’ standings with Williams only 18 points ahead after 14 of the 24 rounds. Yet Aston Martin want to be fighting for more than just fifth place.

Canadian billionaire team owner Lawrence Stroll has invested a fortune in the facilities and personnel in Silverstone, including hiring Newey, with the long-term vision of the 2026 rules giving Aston Martin a chance to fight at the very front. The team have never won a race, yet.

So, while Newey focusing on F1’s 2026 regulations is a wasted opportunity for Aston Martin to improve their 2025 car, Cowell and Stroll will believe it is the right stance given the likely long-term benefits. Aston Martin will not rue the short-term pain if it gives long-term gains.