F1 legend Adrian Newey despairs over key Aston Martin setback

Newey in Monaco with Aston Martin — Photo: © IMAGO

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Adrian Newey despairs over key Aston Martin setback

The former Red Bull design chief is midway through his first year at Aston Martin

Kevin McKenna

Friday 30 May 2025 12:58

Formula 1 design mastermind Adrian Newey has revealed how it may take up to 'two years' for Aston Martin to solve a major issue.

The former Red Bull engineer is midway through his first campaign with the British outfit, but his focus is firmly fixed on 2026 as he aims to get the squad in the best possible position to hit the ground running when new engine regulations are introduced.

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And while he is confident they will be ready to compete, he has raised concerns regarding the new simulator, admitting that significant work must be put in to improving it if they wish to keep up with their rivals.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport at the Monaco Grand Prix, Newey said: "It's not providing us with a good correlation at the moment.

"We have to put a lot of work into it because, first, it's an important development tool and, second, it's supposed to support us in our tuning work.

"In the worst case, that could be a two-year task."

Newey optimistic on Aston Martin future

The 66-year-old, however, did reserve special praise for the work being done by his colleagues behind the scenes, adding: "The factory is the best in the world, and the same is probably true of the new wind tunnel.

"But a wind tunnel is like an engine test bench. It all depends on the ideas of the people who feed it."

While Newey's attention is on the future, Aston Martin's driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are trying to get their respective 2025 campaigns up and running.

Alonso heads into this weekend's Spanish GP as one of four drivers without a point to his name after eight rounds, while his team-mate has collected just 14.

But although both have cut frustrated figures throughout this season, their struggles have come as no surprise, particularly to Alonso, who has repeatedly played down expectations.

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Aston Martin Adrian Newey