Newey says Aston Martin team boss role ‘won’t change workload’

Adrian Newey’s upcoming shift into the role of Aston Martin team principal may sound seismic on paper, but according to the man himself, it’s far more straightforward than it appears.

The legendary designer – widely considered one of the most influential technical minds in Formula 1 history – insists the decision is rooted in practicality, not ambition, and that his day-to-day workload will barely change when he takes charge in 2026.

Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Newey outlined the logic behind the restructuring that sees him replace Andy Cowell, who moves into a new position as Chief Strategy Officer.

A Practical Reshuffle – Not a Power Grab

Newey explained that the team’s complex 2026 power unit project, involving Honda and fuel partner Aramco, required Cowell’s full focus.

"To be perfectly honest, it became very evident that, with the challenge of the ’26 PU and Andy’s skillset in terms of helping the three way relationship between Honda, Aramco and ourselves, it is absolutely his skillset," he said.

According to Newey, Cowell himself led the transition.

"So he very magnanimously volunteered to be heavily involved in that through the first part of ’26,” he added.

That left the question of who would fill the team principal role – and Newey says the answer emerged naturally.

"That left a kind of, ‘OK, who’s going to be TP?’ And since I’m going to be doing all the early races anyway, it doesn’t actually particularly change my workload, because I’m there anyway, so I may as well pick up that bit."

Design first, leadership second

Since officially joining Aston Martin last March, Newey has plunged straight into conceptual work on the team’s all-important 2026 car – the first designed fully under his leadership.

Aston have accepted a quieter 2025 season as the price of giving their prized signing maximum freedom to tackle the new regulations. And despite his expanded title, Newey stressed that his core mission remains unchanged.

"That’s really what I want to and need to do," he said. "That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. So I’m determined not to dilute that."

His comments underscore what appears to be an interim solution: Newey taking the reins now, while Aston Martin weigh longer-term leadership options for a post-2026 structure.

• Read also: Verstappen chimes in on Newey’s prospects as Aston team boss

Names from across the paddock and beyond – including Christian Horner, Andreas Seidl, and Martin Whitmarsh – have all been linked to the team’s long-term future.

For now, though, Aston Martin will be led by a man whose impact on Formula 1 has shaped decades, even if he insists the new job won’t change his working life at all.

What matters most to Newey remains the same: building the car that will carry Aston Martin into the sport’s next era.

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