Stroll Believes Aston Martin Made 'Smart' Newey Decision
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has expressed strong approval for the team's decision to name Adrian Newey as Team Principal for the 2026 season. Newey, who joined Aston Martin earlier this year to focus on the AMR26's development, will now take on a broader leadership role, signaling Aston Martin's serious intent to become a top F1 contender, especially with major regulation changes on the horizon.
Lance Stroll has voiced his approval of Aston Martin's decision to appoint legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey as their Team Principal starting in 2026. This move comes after Newey initially joined Aston Martin earlier this year to focus on the AMR26 car's development under the new technical regulations.
Why it matters:
Aston Martin's aggressive recruitment of Adrian Newey, now as Team Principal, signals a strong intent to become a front-running team in Formula 1. Newey's unparalleled track record of designing championship-winning cars across multiple eras and teams could be the catalyst Aston Martin needs to translate their ambitions into consistent on-track success, particularly with the significant regulation changes in 2026.
The Details:
- Adrian Newey, who departed Red Bull Racing in 2024 after two decades, joined Aston Martin in March this year.
- His initial role was to develop the AMR26 car, specifically addressing the upcoming changes to engine and aerodynamic regulations.
- It has now been announced that Newey will assume the role of Team Principal for the 2026 season, succeeding Andy Cowell, who will transition to a different role within the team.
- This means Aston Martin will have had a different Team Principal for three consecutive seasons, highlighting a period of significant structural change.
- Lance Stroll emphasized Newey's broad impact: "Adrian's in charge of the car design, but also, heavily involved in the culture of the team and getting the most out of everyone that has a part of contributing and building the car. It's a performance driven business and Adrian's all about performance. So I think it's positive."
- Newey has designed 12 Constructors' Championship-winning cars, most recently with Max Verstappen at Red Bull, where he contributed to four consecutive titles.
What's next:
The full impact of Newey's expanded role as Team Principal will become evident with the introduction of the 2026 regulations and the debut of the AMR26. While Stroll acknowledges the current focus is on building the fastest car, Newey's influence on team culture and overall performance strategy will be crucial. Aston Martin is clearly investing heavily in top-tier talent to elevate their status, and Newey's leadership could be the defining factor in their pursuit of championship contention in the new F1 era.