Newey: F1 2026 rules ‘slightly scary’ but room for innovation

Aston Martin’s new Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey has offered his first in-depth thoughts on Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulations – and in classic Newey style, he’s already uncovering the hidden potential others might miss.

Since early March, the former Red Bull designer has been channeling his energy into helping Aston Martin become a true front-running force in the sport.

His primary focus lies squarely on next year’s massive technical reset, which combines an all-new chassis rulebook with a revamped power unit formula.

Initially, Newey believed the 2026 chassis regulations would be overly restrictive. But, in a shift mirroring his experience with the 2022 ruleset, he now sees far more room for creative design than he had anticipated.

Formula 1’s next-generation regulation platform will mark a bold shift for Grand Prix racing, with cars set to become smaller and lighter, moving away from the heavy reliance on ground effect aerodynamics that have defined the current era.

Active aerodynamics will be introduced to reduce drag on straights while maintaining adequate downforce in corners, a balance that Newey sees as ripe for innovation.

More Flexibility than Anticipated

In an interview published on the Aston Martin website, the British engineer reflected on his evolving perspective.

“My thoughts on the ’26 regulations are similar to what my thoughts were about the big regulation change for 2022: initially thinking the regulations were so prescriptive that there wasn’t much left here [for a designer].

“But then you start to drill into the detail and realise there’s more flexibility for innovation and different approaches than first meets the eye.”

Newey’s change of perception is founded on his experience with F1’s 2022 regulations, which, despite appearing restrictive, led to a diverse array of car designs at the season’s outset.

“We saw that at the start of 2022 with teams taking really quite different directions. Four seasons on they’ve largely converged, but initially that wasn’t the case,” he said.

“Variation between teams is great. It’s all a bit boring if the cars look identical and the only way you can tell them apart is the livery,” he said.

He anticipates a similar burst of creativity in 2026.

“I think there’s a high probability that in ’26 we’ll see something similar to ’22. There’s enough flexibility in the regulations, and I’m sure people will come up with different solutions.

“Some of those will be dropped over the first two or three years as teams start to converge.”

A Dual Challenge Looms

The 2026 season presents a rare challenge, with both chassis and power unit regulations undergoing simultaneous overhauls – a first in Newey’s storied career.

This convergence introduces uncertainty, particularly given the ultra-competitive 2025 grid, where lap times are separated by mere fractions of a second.

“For the first time I can remember, we’ve got both the chassis regulations and power unit regulations changing at the same time. This is… interesting… and slightly scary,” Newey admitted.

He foresees potential disparities in performance, particularly in the power units, reminiscent of the early hybrid era in 2014 when Mercedes surged ahead.

“Both the new aerodynamic rules and the PU regulations present opportunities. I would expect to see a range of aero solutions and there could be variation in PU performance across the grid to begin with – which is what happened when the hybrid regulations first came in, in 2014,” he noted.

Weight reduction, a key focus of the 2026 rules, will also be a critical performance differentiator, with teams racing to meet the FIA’s ambitious targets.

Newey’s team at Aston Martin is already exploring innovative aerodynamic concepts and lightweight materials to gain an edge.

Faith in Honda and the Path Forward

However, the power unit challenge is equally significant, and Newey is buoyed by Aston Martin’s new works partnership with Honda.

Having worked with the Japanese manufacturer during his Red Bull tenure, he expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a competitive engine despite their brief hiatus from F1.

“I’ve got a lot of trust in Honda and a huge amount of respect for them, having worked with them before,” he said.

“They took a year out of F1 and so, to some extent, they’re playing catch-up, but they’re a great group of engineers and very much an engineering-led company.”

Read also:

• Newey’s warning: Aston Martin needs to grow in one key area

As Aston Martin prepares for the 2026 season, Newey’s vision is clear: leverage the flexibility in the regulations to create a car that stands out on the grid.

With his track record of turning regulatory challenges into championship-winning designs, the F1 world is watching closely to see how Aston Martin will fare when the new era dawns.

For now, Newey and his team are hard at work, ready to seize the opportunities hidden within the 2026 rules and redefine the team’s place in the sport.

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