Damon Hill explains how Adrian Newey could pull off a ‘complete surprise’ at Aston Martin in 2026

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Aston Martin are being backed to make a huge step forward under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations and the leadership of Adrian Newey.

The legendary engineer and designer joined Aston Martin in 2025 after leaving Red Bull. Focusing primarily on their 2026 F1 car, Newey will act as team principal next season, replacing Andy Cowell.

Owner Lawrence Stroll has made huge investments behind the scenes at Silverstone, including new facilities and several staff hires. With Newey spearheading the project and Honda on board as their engine supplier, expectations are high.

The team finished seventh in the constructors’ championship in 2025. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll struggled with inconsistency and unreliability, but the former was still able to salvage a top-10 finish in the drivers’ standings.

Alonso is excited by Aston Martin’s 2026 project and is hopeful that he can fight at the front again, as he did with the team back in 2023. Newey could be the key.

Adrian Newey’s ability to ‘master’ regulation changes could see Aston Martin be the surprise package of 2026

Newey will hide his ‘best secrets’ in Aston Martin’s 2026 car. He is described as the ‘master’ of keeping his designs and ideas on the down low during car launches, and he is expected to do the same at Silverstone.

The 2026 regulations are set to shake up the pecking order. When asked if a surprise could be on the cards, Damon Hill reckons Aston Martin could be the ones to pull it off, thanks to Newey’s experience with rules changes.

He told Talksport: “Yes, you could. I mean, we could see a complete surprise. Something like when Jenson Button won with Brawn, they surprised everyone because they saw through the regulations.

“And the master of seeing through the regulations is Adrian Newey, who’s gone to Aston Martin. He left Red Bull and Max Verstappen behind and Christian Horner has left that team.

“He’s gone off to Aston Martin. He’s been working on this project now for a good 18 months or so. So, we’re sort of expecting him to wave his magic wand over Aston Martin. It could happen.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Aston Martin F1 team principal Adrian Newey

Honda are already facing problems with their 2026 engine

Newey’s experience and knowledge will be key for Aston Martin, but another deciding factor for their project is Honda. The Japanese manufacturer dominated F1 with Red Bull, but there is no guarantee that their engine will be competitive under the new regulations.

As it happens, Honda have rubbished claims they will be superior in 2026. President Koji Watanabe says they are ‘struggling in many areas’ with their power unit, which does not make for good reading.

There are ‘growing concerns’ over the Honda engine’s performance and that Aston Martin ‘missed a trick’ with the loophole that Mercedes and Red Bull have discovered, which could put the team behind their competitor.

Honda know how demanding Alonso can be, given he called their engines ’embarrassing’ during his time at McLaren. The Spaniard will want to see performance from Aston Martin in 2026, especially with the amount of money that has been invested.