Ambitious Aston Martin takes a Newey approach

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll hailed Adrian Newey as a bargain, after announcing the star designer would be joining his Formula One team next March as Managing Technical Partner and shareholder.

Newey, 65, said in May he was leaving champion Red Bull in search of a new challenge, and he has found it in the task of taking the Silverstone-based outfit to the top of the championship.

The 2025 season is due to start on March 16 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and is the last before a new engine era and major rules revamp in 2026. Newey will start on March 1.

"I can tell you, Adrian is a bargain," Stroll said of the man he will reportedly be paying somewhere between 20 to 30 million pounds ($26 to 39 million) a year — making him one of the highest-paid people in the paddock.

"I've been in business for over 40 years now, and I've never been more certain. It's not an investment. He's a shareholder and a partner," added the Canadian, describing Newey as a key element to the team's title aspirations.

"We intend to be around for a very long time together. So it's relatively inexpensive for everything Adrian brings to the partnership."

Aston Martin is currently fifth overall, but Newey, impressed by the owner's vision and the gleaming facilities, looks forward to helping it scale new heights.

"They have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team, and I am very much looking forward to helping to reach that goal," said the Briton.

He described Aston Martin as uniquely 'old school', in the sense of having a wealthy owner actively running the show and following his passion.

Cars designed by Newey have won 25 drivers' and constructors' championships for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. His 2023 Red Bull was the most dominant car in the sport's history, with 21 wins from 22 races.

Newey, who was also sought by Ferrari and McLaren, will have overall responsibility for the cars raced by 43-year-old double world champion Fernando Alonso — an 'archrival' he has long wanted to work with — and Stroll's son Lance.

The team has also recruited top talent from rivals.

Former Mercedes engine head Andy Cowell was announced in July as new chief executive officer, replacing former McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, while former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile has also arrived.

Aston Martin has an exclusive partnership with Honda, Red Bull's current engine suppliers, for five years from 2026.

Stroll said he had been determined to sign Newey as soon as the designer became available, and initial conversations confirmed the interest was mutual.

"It's the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport, and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula One team capable of fighting for world championships," he declared.

"Adrian is a racer, and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. When he saw what we have built at Silverstone, he quickly understood what we are trying to achieve. We mean business, and so does he."

REUTERS