Sebastian Vettel delivers his 2026 Aston Martin verdict as Adrian Newey is appointed team principal

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Aston Martin have suddenly become one of the most interesting teams for the 2026 Formula 1 season after appointing Adrian Newey as their team principal.

The legendary engineer and designer joined the team as technical director in 2024, following his 20-year stint at Red Bull. But, in 2026, Newey will step up as team principal, replacing Andy Cowell.

Reports emerged from Las Vegas that the 56-year-old would be relieved of his duties as team principal. Friction between Cowell and Newey behind the scenes led to the decision, but the former will stay at Aston Martin as chief strategy officer.

The shocking change comes ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations, where the Silverstone-based team are being backed for success. With Honda as their engine supplier and Newey designing the car, they could be a dark horse.

But Aston Martin have struggled in recent years despite Lawrence Stroll’s heavy investment. They are currently eighth in the championship in 2025, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll not finding consistency from the AMR25.

Sebastian Vettel does not see why Aston Martin cannot be a ‘dark horse’ in 2026

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, former Aston Martin driver and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel shared his verdict on the team heading into 2026.

He says that the team have always had the ‘ingredients’ to fight at the top, but have not been able to bring it all together. Newey’s appointment as team principal could be just what they need.

“I think there’s more than one dark horse next year because you don’t know what’s going to happen with the regs and how teams will interpret them, which is also the exciting bit,” said Vettel.

“Then there’s always the argument the strongest team now will have the strongest chance of succeeding with the big rule change because they have the strongest organisation.

“So you could argue McLaren is a favourite. Then it largely depends on the PU, how that pans out, but it’s going to be the big teams and Aston could be, I think, just from a resources point of view, I know, because I’ve seen the projects when they started and now they are sort of finished.

“They do take time to really fall into place with the new tunnel, the factory and everything, the sim, and the partnership with Honda as well, and Honda doesn’t come out of the box, they have had now all these years of experience.

“So yeah, I think the ingredients are there and the ingredients have been there for a while, but you see also how hard it is to make it click.

“I mean, 2023, they had a fantastic open of the season and then struggling a little bit towards the end and then ‘24 and ‘25 was difficult for them. So yeah, the resources are there, the people are there, why not?”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Could Adrian Newey bring Christian Horner to Aston Martin?

Unsurprisingly, Newey’s shock news for 2026 has prompted discussion about what his team could look like in the future.

No one would have expected Aston Martin to appoint the 66-year-old, especially with the rumours going around about other targets. Christian Horner was considered a favourite to replace Cowell, with him searching for his next opportunity in F1 after leaving Red Bull.

Many have questioned whether the pair could reunite in 2026, given the friction behind the scenes at Red Bull, which ultimately saw both of them leave. But Newey would not have a problem working with Horner again, and that could be on the cards at Aston Martin.

Newey gave Horner a secret tour of the Aston Martin factory, suggesting that the team are leaving the door open for him. Horner is ‘pushing’ for a shareholding in the team, as he looks to take on a leadership role for his next F1 venture.