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Amidst all the chaos at Aston Martin, Ralf Schumacher doesn’t see Adrian Newey staying as the team principal much longer.
Newey has been immensely frustrated with the Honda power unit and has been publicly critical of the Japanese developers.
Aston Martin and Honda’s relationship is already strained, and public comments like the one Newey made aren’t going to do much to improve their partnership.
Have Aston Martin already ‘completely ruined’ their relationship with Honda?
On top of that, Aston Martin’s engineers are reportedly exhausted despite the season just starting due to the several changes they’re being forced to make.
Adrian Newey’s arrival was meant to stabilise Aston Martin, but it has had the opposite effect. Perhaps this is why Ralf Schumacher expects him to part ways with Aston Martin very soon.
READ MORE: Guenther Steiner says Adrian Newey might be responsible for Aston Martin’s overheating issues
Ralf Schumacher believes Adrian Newey is a ‘placeholder’ team principal for Aston Martin
Ralf Schumacher addressed Adrian Newey’s future with Aston Martin on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, and his outlook wasn’t a positive one.
Schumacher believes Newey isn’t fit for the role because of his seeming discomfort in the public eye. And this poor fit is why Newey will make for a new team principal in due time.
“So, someone will come soon. I’m pretty sure of that, because that’s simply not [Newey’s] nature. I think he does things that he forces himself to. That was noticeable in the interview.”
“He prefers to stay in the background. He wants to do his own thing. He always walks past everyone in the paddock, even when he’s successful.”
“He is protecting his peace, except in the small circle where he feels comfortable. I can say that. That’s another thing you have to understand and accept.”
“He is currently a placeholder for a personnel change that will happen. I believe the original wish was different, but it has now remained where it is. And soon, some landscaping will be taking place.”
READ MORE: Martin Brundle warns Aston Martin face ‘six-month’ struggle as the sole Honda F1 team in 2026
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Adrian Newey will want to prove himself right in Aston Martin tenure
For Adrian Newey, walking away as team principal of Aston Martin isn’t going to be an option for a variety of reasons.
While there is speculation that Newey’s equity in Aston Martin could prevent his dismissal, the former Red Bull chief technical officer will want to prove that his vision for the car can work.
Most of Aston Martin’s issues have been attributed to the unstable Honda power unit. Meanwhile, there has been praise for Newey’s construction of the Aston Martin cars themselves.
We don’t know what these cars are capable of just yet, and until the power unit issues are resolved, their true potential will remain hidden.
Newey will want to stay until the power unit issues are behind them and Aston Martin can reap the rewards of his work on the track.
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