Martin Brundle highlights the ‘problem’ Aston Martin have to avoid after signing Adrian Newey

Follow us on Google Discover

Adrian Newey has arguably the greatest record in the history of Formula 1.

During his decades working in the sport, Adrian Newey has won 25 championships – both Drivers’ and Constructors’ – with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

From 2025 onwards, Newey will be working towards adding Aston Martin to that list of teams he’s achieved the ultimate success in the sport with.

Newey hasn’t always been the easiest person to work alongside and a falling out at Williams over their selection of drivers saw him join McLaren and the team haven’t won a championship since.

Reacting to the news on Sky Sports, Martin Brundle has shared what issue Aston Martin now have to avoid after securing Newey’s signature.

The 65-year-old attracts a huge amount of attention and is the most famous technical leader in the paddock.

His success is unparalleled but the pressure will be on him to deliver the victories and championships that Lawrence Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll desire.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Red Bull managed that expectation brilliantly and were able to spread out credit across the team.

Newey wasn’t particularly happy with team principal Christian Horner as a result of this but it’s now up to Aston Martin to give credit where it’s due.

Martin Brundle shares ‘problem’ Aston Martin face with Adrian Newey

Asked about Newey’s impact on Aston Martin and whether it will propel them to the front of the grid, Brundle said: “Well, that’s a big challenge for a team because if you’ve got Adrian Newey on board and you don’t win, well then you’ve wasted Adrian Newey.

“If you do win, it’s all about Adrian Newey so it’s a problem they have to manage.

READ MORE: F1 teams rumoured to be considering ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that could impact Adrian Newey’s future

“And I have to say that Red Bull have been extremely good at using the genius of Adrian and compartmentalising other aspects to make sure that they get the best out of him.

“So, Adrian is 66 years old on Boxing Day, he’s got this huge amount of success behind him but as you said, I’m sure this is probably his last roll of the dice with a big team and he’ll want it to be a great success.

“You can be sure, big picture stuff, he’s the man you’d want looking at that.”

Adrian Newey set to earn more than more of the Formula 1 grid

The Formula 1 cost cap rules allow for three salaries to be paid outside of the current limits and every team is expected to use two-thirds of that allocation for their drivers.

At Aston Martin, that’s almost certainly the case with Alonso and Stroll and they would have had to take note of the other marquee signings they’ve made such as Enrico Cardile and Andy Cowell as well as team principal Mike Krack not go over the limits.

That’s because Newey will undoubtedly be the third person in that trio over the limit.

Newey’s salary is expected to be at least £20m-a-year although as Stroll confirmed, he’s also now a shareholder in the business.

Peter Windsor has explained why Newey is worth more than almost every driver on the grid but it’s up to him and the rest of his technical team to now build a car that justifies that outlay.