Damon Hill pokes fun at Ferrari as Aston Martin announce Adrian Newey

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Aston Martin have won the race to sign legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey. The team unveiled their new managing technical partner on Tuesday morning.

When Newey announced in the spring that he’d be leaving Red Bull, the eight other F1 teams (excluding junior outfit RB) would have considered whether they had any scope to sign him. He’s designed cars that have won 13 drivers’ championships and 12 constructors’ titles.

Williams plotted a reunion with Newey after their successful partnership in the 1990s. Fellow strugglers Alpine also made Newey an offer.

Mercedes and McLaren were both linked too, but Aston Martin and Ferrari always seemed to be the biggest contenders. The Scuderia were the frontrunners in the early months.

One report has claimed that Newey to Ferrari was ‘done’ before a ‘dramatic’ late turnaround. Ferrari refused to give him the level of influence he sought.

Fernando Alonso expected a press conference announcing the move at the Monaco GP at the end of May. But now he’ll reap the benefits of Newey’s genius as he pursues a remarkable third world title.

Damon Hill recalls Adrian Newey to Ferrari speculation

Writing on his Instagram story, Damon Hill quoted a report from June that Newey had accepted a three-year offer from Ferrari. He joked that ‘this may prove to be very wide of the mark’.

The 1996 F1 world champion knew that Aston Martin would announce his arrival in a press conference later on Tuesday. Ferrari have also lost technical director Enrico Cardile to the Silverstone outfit.

The Maranello outfit recently announced that Loic Serra would take on that position. Serra had already agreed to join from Mercedes.

According to a report in Italy, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur vetoed the signing of Newey. The 65-year-old wanted a say in the team’s recruitment plans and technical partnerships, something Vasseur couldn’t accept.

Martin Brundle on the ‘problem’ Aston Martin must avoid with Adrian Newey

Aston Martin will expect success with Newey. And that doesn’t just mean a first-ever race win – that means world championships.

His influence will truly take hold in 2026 following his arrival in March. But Ted Kravitz is concerned that the 2026 regulations won’t suit Newey given the anticipated ‘dominance’ of the power unit.

Sky Sports F1 colleague Martin Brundle says Aston Martin could ‘waste’ Newey if they fail to become a contender. But equally, it will be ‘all about’ him should they enter the title picture, and that’s the ‘problem’ they face.

The pressure in each department is huge, but it will be outweighed by excitement – at least for now. Stroll plans to invest £783m, with the blockbuster Newey deal at the heart of his vision.