Stroll Reacts to Newey's 'Smart' Move to Aston Martin Team Principal Role

Lance Stroll has voiced his support for Aston Martin's decision to appoint legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey as Team Principal for the 2026 season. Newey, who joined Aston Martin earlier this year after a long tenure with Red Bull Racing, will transition from his current role in car development to lead the team, marking a significant strategic shift for the Silverstone-based outfit.

Why it matters:

Adrian Newey's move to Team Principal at Aston Martin is a seismic shift in the F1 paddock. His unparalleled track record in designing championship-winning cars, combined with a leadership role, signals Aston Martin's aggressive intent to become a top-tier contender. This appointment could be the catalyst the team needs to bridge the gap to the frontrunners and challenge for championships.

The Details:

• Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin in March 2024 after departing Red Bull, was initially tasked with developing the AMR26 car for the new 2026 technical regulations, which involve significant changes to engines and aerodynamics.
• It was recently announced that Newey will take over from Andy Cowell as Team Principal for the 2026 season, with Cowell moving into a different role within the team. This means Aston Martin will have had a different Team Principal for three consecutive seasons.
• Lance Stroll emphasized Newey's broader influence, stating, "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 boasts an impressive F1 career, having designed 12 Constructors' Championship-winning cars across multiple teams, most recently achieving great success with Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
• Stroll also noted his ongoing discussions with Newey regarding car preferences, acknowledging that the 2026 car will be a "completely different kind of car," shifting focus to building the fastest machine possible and then refining its balance and limitations on track.

What's next:

Newey's leadership will be crucial as Aston Martin navigates the radical technical regulation changes coming in 2026. His transition to Team Principal underlines a clear strategic vision to infuse his performance-driven philosophy throughout the entire organization, not just in design. This bold move sets the stage for Aston Martin to potentially emerge as a serious championship contender in the coming years, provided they can quickly adapt to the new regulations and maximize Newey's influence across all facets of the team.