Bernie Collins shares her Aston Martin ‘concern’ despite Adrian Newey designing their 2026 F1 car

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Aston Martin hiring design guru Adrian Newey to oversee the development of their car for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations may not be enough to ease Bernie Collins’ concern.

The Silverstone squad were one of the earliest crews to go all-in on F1’s 2026 regulations, as billionaire Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll strives to see his huge investments pay off. Aston Martin are yet to ever win an F1 Grand Prix and have only sealed nine podiums in 111 starts.

Stroll made appointing Newey as Aston Martin’s managing technical partner a priority, given the size of next year’s regulations overhaul. The 66-year-old is the most successful designer in F1 history, having created cars that have won 14 drivers’ titles and 12 constructors’ titles.

Newey joined Aston Martin as a 5% shareholder and officially took up his position in March following a period of leave after he left Red Bull. Aston Martin had already been working on the car that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will drive in the 2026 F1 season since January.

Bernie Collins fears Aston Martin will struggle with F1’s 2026 regulations and a Honda engine

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expects the “Newey factor” will help Aston Martin emerge as one of their potential rivals in 2026. But Collins is “concerned” that even Newey cannot prevent Aston Martin from struggling, as they also become the factory Honda team from next term.

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

Honda decided to re-commit to Formula 1 and partner with Aston Martin, having previously elected to leave Red Bull, due to the 2026 regulations. Next year’s engines will have a 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power, which also obliged fresh aerodynamic rules.

So, Collins – who previously worked as Aston Martin’s head of F1 race strategy, after initially joining the team during their time as Force India – is “concerned” about team principal Andy Cowell putting the pieces of their puzzle together and hitting the ground running next term.

Collins said on Sky Sports F1 (19/09, 15:03): “I think the start of this year was a real struggle. I think the performance was not what people were expecting it to be, and it sort of looked really negative for the remainder of the year. People seem quite down, actually, about it.

“And then Adrian Newey came on board. There’s a lot more positive discussion in the team now. The results have improved a little bit. Monza, obviously, [was] not a great weekend.

“So, I think it’s on the up and up. [But] I am concerned that next year will be a struggle with so many new elements being brought together.”

Adrian Newey designing Aston Martin a winning F1 car could see Fernando Alonso retire

Newey has stunned Alonso since joining Aston Martin, with the two-time drivers’ champion in awe of the Briton’s ability to visualise a car concept. Aston Martin will now hope Newey’s arrival also captures big results next term, as F1’s 2026 regulations have been his full focus.

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

Aston Martin’s car for the new regulations, which will yield active aerodynamics for the first time and smaller Pirelli tyres, might even be decisive in determining Alonso’s future. Alonso believes “2026 will probably be my last year” if Aston Martin produce a quick car next term.

Oviedo native Alonso wants to finish his F1 career, which started back in 2001 with Minardi, on a high. So, if the 2005 and 2006 F1 drivers’ championship winner returns to the top step of a podium next year, then Alonso could retire with his contract due to expire next season.

Alonso is the most experienced driver in F1 history, with Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix set to be his 418th start. But the 44-year-old has not won a race since the 2013 Spanish GP (his 201st start), and has not scored a pole position since the 2012 German GP (his 186th start).