What to remember from Adrian Newey's presentation at Aston Martin

When and how did he make his decision?

“I felt like I needed a new challenge. At the end of April, I decided that I needed to do something different. My wife and I talked about what we would do in the future. We took some time to think about it, and I’m lucky enough to have achieved what I’ve wanted to do since I was 12 or 13, which was to become a chief designer for a motorsport team. Everything else has been a bonus.”

"I stopped Red Bull at the time of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka in April. I had no idea what would happen next. It was a blank page waiting for me. Amanda (his wife) is very important in the decisions I make, even more so regarding our future. At the end of June, I said to myself that being involved in a design role in motorsport had been my dream since I was 10 years old. 90% of my career so far has been great. My main motivation has always been to add performance to a car, I get up in the morning for that. The F1 is the pinnacle of the man-machine combination. I have interests in other things, but this is what I do best."

Lawrence Stroll He added: "We really started talking three years ago very briefly, but the most recent discussions were after Adrian's departure from Red Bull was announced. When I saw that, I thought he would share my vision, he's a very intelligent man, so we got in touch."

On his visit to the F1 Campus last June

His visit to the Silverstone factory was decisive in his decision to join Aston Martin. “The campus is impressive, with a lot of assets. It’s a demonstration of Lawrence’s ambitions. I don’t know how much it cost, but it sure was a lot of money (laughs). I’m going to have to find a way to spend money within the budget cap! Seeing the plant, and listening to Lawrence talk about his ambitions, about wanting to go after titles and giving himself the means to do so, were decisive.”

On Lawrence Stroll's role in his signing

“Lawrence and I have known each other for a while now. We sometimes see each other at the gym during the faraway rounds like in the Middle East (laughs). When I announced that I was leaving my old team, I was flattered to have so many offers from other teams. Lawrence’s commitment and enthusiasm, his persuasiveness, was decisive. If you go back 20 years, the team principals were the owners of the teams. In the modern era, Lawrence is unique in his kind, he is the only active sole owner. That makes it interesting. The chance to become a partner and shareholder had never been offered to me in the past either, so I am very honoured.”

An unsurpassed record of 25 F1 world championship titles.

A statement of the team's ambition. pic.twitter.com/cYVaR0rhWi

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 10, 2024

His relationship with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

"Lance, I knew him a little bit in F3. My son Harry was racing more or less at the same time as him. He dominated the second half of the F3 season brilliantly. And Fernando? We fought against him for several years (smiles). He was an enemy at the time! We came close to signing him in 2008 with Red Bull for the 2009 season, but it didn't happen and it's a shame. We continued to fight against him, he's a legend of the sport and I'm happy to work with him in the future."

On his connection with the Aston Martin brand

"After Ferrari, Aston Martin is probably the most attractive brand in the world. It's special. I already know the brand a little bit, because I helped create the Valkyrie. And I have a few classic Astons at home too, so I'm familiar with the brand."

On its exact role and integration

He arrives as managing technical partner (associate and manager of the technical side), and will be the top of the pyramid internally. "The arrival of Honda will be interesting, I am happy to be able to continue working with them because it was a pleasure at Red Bull. On the chassis side, the aerodynamic regulations will be announced on January 1st or 2nd, two months before my arrival. I will get in tune with the team as soon as possible, I should get to know everyone, and we will all try to give our best because that is the key. In 2026, it will be a new start for everyone. We have three main departments: vehicle performance, aerodynamics and mechanical design. We will have to ensure that there are synergies between all the parties, as well as with Honda because the interaction with the engine manufacturer is essential."

Lawrence Stroll added: “There have been a lot of pieces of the puzzle that have been added in the last six years. We’ve brought two incredible partners into the project: Aramco, who are a great fit, and Honda, who are on a five-year exclusive deal. Adrian, on the other hand, is key, key, key, and definitely the biggest piece of the puzzle, technically and leadership-wise. He’ll lead the team, and it’ll trickle down to every department. Adrian will be the technical leader. He’ll decide what he wants technically and organizationally. I’ve been in this business for 6 years, and I’ve never been more confident (about signing Newey). He’s the best partner to bring to a team. He’s actually pretty cheap for what he’s going to bring.”

On returning full-time to F1

“Changing teams always involves a huge commitment, to understand how everyone works, and to be involved in changing things if necessary. It takes time. The good news is that I have been in motorsport on the track side since 1992, almost continuously. It has often been very demanding. From Thursday I will take some time off, although I still have commitments to the RB17 (Red Bull Hypercar). I will be refreshed and ready to start on March 2nd.”

On the fact that he had been detached from the F1 project at Red Bull for a few months, and that he is diving back in: "I am not here on behalf of Red Bull, but everyone knows that in 2014, with the hybrid engine, we were not competitive with the engine. We could not see the end of the tunnel, I needed to see something else so I started to get involved in the Valkyrie project. With the Honda power unit then, we were in another position, I really got involved in the world of F1 again. The team has become mature, and once we reached the peak of research into the work for the 2022 car, which represented a huge change, I was able to take a step back, because the 2023 car and this year's car are big evolutions of the 2022 car. In 2026, we will be on a new and very stimulating challenge."

Putting your questions to Adrian Newey. 🎙

Fans submitted their questions for our incoming Managing Technical Partner on @tiktok_uk. pic.twitter.com/AyQp6k92Yt

— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 10, 2024

On the pressure that will accompany his mission

"I don't read (the press), I don't watch (the news about him) etc... I'm pretty insensitive to that, since my 2nd year in F1 where after a good first season, the car was less good. I cut myself off from the press and apart from when people come to tell me what's being said, I don't watch too much. The pressure on my shoulders comes from myself and certainly not from outside. In 1981, Frank Williams told me that he thought I was the most competitive guy in the paddock. I was a little upset because I didn't really understand what he meant. I don't think he's right, because drivers like Fernando or Lance are too. I am in my job, less so outside of it. It puts pressure on me to do my best. I don't think I feel like I have to prove my abilities to others, that's never been my motivation anyway. What drives me is to do the best job possible, no matter the result."