Cowell: Newey engineering approach collaborative – not 'dictatorial'

Aston Martin F1 CEO and team principal Andy Cowell has offered fresh insight into Adrian Newey’s early impact at the team, highlighting the legendary Formula 1 designer’s “collaborative” rather than “dictatorial” approach to his work.

Newey, widely regarded as the most successful technical mind in F1 history, joined Aston Martin in March 2025 after departing Red Bull.

He took on the freshly created role of Managing Technical Partner and is expected to play a pivotal part in shaping the team’s future – especially with the sport’s upcoming regulation overhaul in 2026 as well as Team Silverstone’s new works engine partnership with Honda.

“He works exceptionally well in a small group”

Speaking to Sky F1 during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Cowell underscored the way Newey had immersed himself in the team’s technical fabric and design philosophy, noting the designer’s hands-on, collaborative methods, dispelling any notions of an overbearing or authoritarian style.

“He joined us at the beginning of March and he was just straight into understanding the regulations, the concept that’s been created so far by the team,” Cowell said.

“He’s an engineer, he works with a drawing board, but he works exceptionally well in a small group where he’s just talking about the detail of the race car.”

Cowell was quick to contrast Newey’s style with that of a commanding figurehead, making it clear that his influence is rooted in collaboration and engineering fundamentals.

“It’s not in a sort of dictatorial way, it’s very much into the detail and explaining things from first principles,” he added.

Impact already felt on track

While Newey’s primary focus is the 2026 car, Cowell confirmed that the Briton is already making meaningful contributions to the team’s 2025 campaign.

Aston Martin, which had struggled early in the year, has shown notable improvement since introducing an upgrade package at Imola.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has since returned to consistent Q3 appearances and finished as ‘best of the rest’ in Montreal, signalling a potential upward trend for the team.

• Read also: Aston Martin reaping unexpected benefit from Newey’s arrival

Cowell credited Newey’s attention to detail as a key part of that resurgence.

“He’s looking at it down to everything to how to change the ride height in two minutes in between the sessions, so that we can adjust the car when we’re racing,” Cowell said.

“He’s got great experience, and it’s an exciting time for us.”

As Aston Martin continues to evolve from midfield contender to title hopeful, the combination of Newey’s experience and the incoming Honda works deal has injected new – and much needed –momentum into the Silverstone squad’s long-term lofty ambitions.

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