Guenther Steiner fears Lawrence Stroll could sack Adrian Newey if Aston Martin upgrade fails

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Adrian Newey’s job could be at risk if Aston Martin’s much-talked-about upgrade fails to deliver, Guenther Steiner has warned.

Aston Martin are hoping to gain over two seconds through two upgrades – one an overhauled chassis, and the other a new Honda engine.

Newey’s developments will arrive at the Hungarian Grand Prix just before the summer break, but Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will have to wait until Zandvoort for the updated Honda power unit.

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Lawrence Stroll’s ‘history’ suggests Adrian Newey could be under pressure

Aston Martin are second from bottom in the standings with only one fortuitous point, scored by Fernando Alonso in Monaco.

They have already reached 10 DNFs – at least four more than any other team – and the gap to the midfield has only increased given their strategic decision to eschew incremental upgrades.

At the British GP last time out, they were 1.4 seconds down on Cadillac and 2.2 seconds off the pace they needed to reach Q2. The upgrade, tantamount to a B-spec car, will determine whether they can salvage any respectability from the season.

Asked on the Red Flags podcast if it would work, Steiner replied: “Put it this way, I hope so. Do I think so? Maybe not.

“Everyone’s [head will roll if the upgrade fails]. There’s a point where Lawrence Stroll has just had enough.

Asked if this would put Newey under threat, he said: “If you go by the history, yes. Or maybe [Enrico] Cardile, the technical director.”

“We will hear the screams in the United States if they are still bad in Hungary,” Steiner said earlier in the podcast. “You don’t need a TV. You will hear Lawrence Stroll shouting at the world.”

Newey acquired shares in the team when he joined Aston Martin in the autumn of 2024, which may consolidate his position.

However, Canadian businessman Stroll is known as one of the most ruthless and impatient figures in the F1 paddock.

Steiner has been critical of Stroll for repeatedly changing his leadership structure, rather than giving them time.

Newey is Aston Martin’s fourth team principal in the space of five years. The legendary designer took over from Andy Cowell, who had been in his post for just a single season before he was reassigned.

The upheaval is set to continue, with Jonathan Wheatley expected to join Aston Martin once he has completed a period of gardening leave after quitting Audi.

Newey reportedly earns around £24m per year, which makes him better-paid than most of the drivers on the grid.