Damon Hill predicts Aston Martin could disrupt F1 order with Newey’s 2026 project
Ex‑champion Damon Hill says Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin could spark a Brawn‑style upset under the 2026 rules. With a Honda power unit and regulations, the team may break Red Bull’s podium.
Aston Martin could leapfrog the grid in 2026, says former champion Damon Hill. He points to Adrian Newey’s move to the team and a new Honda power unit as the ingredients for a possible Brawn‑GP‑style upset.
Why it matters:
If Newey can turn his regulatory know‑how into a winning car, Red Bull’s decade‑long dominance could be challenged. A podium finish would justify Aston Martin’s £300m spend on facilities, staff and the Honda power unit. For sponsors and fans craving fresh rivalry, a new challenger revives the sport’s narrative.
The details:
- Newey’s role: Joined Aston Martin as technical director in late 2023, bringing 25 years of aerodynamic and rule‑book expertise from Red Bull.
- Regulation window: Hill notes Newey has been dissecting the 2026 rulebook for about 18 months, focusing on larger fuel allowances and simplified aero that could level the playing field.
- Power unit: Aston Martin will run the AMR25 powered by Honda’s freshly unveiled 1.6‑litre V6 turbo‑hybrid, built to exploit the higher fuel limit and improved energy recovery.
- Launch timeline: The car’s public debut is set for 9 February, after a private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya.
- Honda tech: The new unit features an upgraded turbo, a lighter MGU‑K and a revised energy‑store architecture aimed at narrowing the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari.
What's next:
Next up: a shakedown at Barcelona, the February launch, then the Bahrain opener. If Newey’s ideas click, Aston Martin could be on the podium from round one, reshaping the championship battle for years to come.