Nico Rosberg hails the ‘genius’ of what nine-podium F1 team have just done

Follow us on Google Discover

Nico Rosberg has lauded the ‘genius’ of what one Formula 1 team has just done after sealing an ‘incredible move’ that sets them up well for the 2026 regulation changes.

F1 is due for a drastic overhaul of the rulebook with fresh chassis and power unit regulations on the horizon. It is, arguably, now coming at the wrong time with McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes engaged in a four-way fight with the new rules threatening another shake-up.

Audi will certainly hope the fresh rules help the German automotive giant’s debut foray into Formula 1 when it takes over Sauber in 2026. The new rules can help any of the teams stuck at the rear of the field shoot to the front, as Williams did under the 2014 engine regulations.

Nico Rosberg thinks it was ‘genius’ for Aston Martin to sign Adrian Newey

One team pinning their hopes on F1’s 2026 regulation changes is Aston Martin, who are the fifth-best outfit so far this term. The Silverstone squad are sat in no man’s land ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix with Mercedes 227 points clear in P4 and Visa Cash App RB 48 back.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Formula 1’s 2026 engine and chassis rules

Aston Martin have scored 82 points through the first 17 of 24 rounds this season, compared to the 230 they had through 17 rounds last year. Fernando Alonso further secured their best result so far this season with P5 in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix back in round two in March.

So, billionaire Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll convinced Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin on a £20m-a-year contract, which can rise to £30m after bonuses. The 65-year-old will join from Red Bull on March 1, 2025 as their new managing technical partner and a shareholder.

Stroll made Newey a five per cent shareholder in Aston Martin so he rejected joining Ferrari, Mercedes, Williams or McLaren. As far as 2016 Formula 1 champion Rosberg is concerned, it was a ‘genius’ move by Stroll with the impact Newey could have on Aston Martin’s 2026 car.

“What a genius move to get Adrian Newey,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1 (21/09, 10:39). “As soon as he arrives, straight onto the 2026 car – which is the new regulation car – that’s an incredible move.”

Aston Martin must deliver on 2026 before Adrian Newey joins in March 2025

Formula 1 teams are blocked through the rules from starting to work on their cars under the 2026 regulations before January 2025. F1 sought to prevent one team from gaining an unfair advantage on the rest of the grid by allocating all of their resources on 2026 well in advance.

But as soon as New Year rolls around, the floodgates open and 2026 becomes the number one objective. Aston Martin will then hope to get a good start on their project before Newey joins in March, fearful of wasting the first two months designing a car he does not believe in.

If Newey walks into the Aston Martin factory next March and says the team have gone down the wrong design path, the Silverstone squad may have to start again while their rivals make progress. It would be a waste of his intellect, plus vast salary, to ignore his wisdom for 2026.

Stroll gifted Newey a lucrative contract and shares in Aston Martin as the Canadian believes he will make the difference to a team that has seldom tasted success in Formula 1. No Aston Martin car has ever won a Grand Prix or secured a pole position through their entire history.

Alonso further secured eight of the nine podiums that Aston Martin have ever earned in F1 during the 2023 season. He stood on the rostrum six times through the Spaniard’s first eight races with Aston Martin, as well, but has not returned to the podium over the past 19 races.