Here’s a bombshell for Formula 1 fans: Adrian Newey, the legendary designer behind Red Bull’s dominance, was recently spotted scrutinizing Max Verstappen’s RB21 car at the Qatar Grand Prix. But here’s where it gets controversial—this comes just as Newey prepares to take the helm as Aston Martin’s team principal, sparking questions about his loyalties and the future of both teams. Is this a harmless inspection or a strategic move? Let’s dive in.
Newey, the mastermind behind Red Bull’s success with drivers like Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, left the Milton Keynes team in 2024 after nearly two decades. His transition to Aston Martin began earlier this year, where he took on the role of managing technical partner and became a team shareholder. Aston Martin recently announced that Newey will step into the team principal role ahead of the 2025 season, coinciding with their highly anticipated technical partnership with Honda, Red Bull’s current engine supplier. And this is the part most people miss—this reshuffle also sees current team boss Andy Cowell shift to chief strategy officer, tasked with managing the complex relationship between Aston Martin, Honda, and fuel partner Aramco.
Newey’s trackside appearances with Aston Martin have been making waves. His third such appearance in Qatar followed earlier visits to Monaco and Silverstone. Known for his meticulous study of rival cars, Newey was seen examining Verstappen’s RB21 on the grid at Lusail. But it didn’t stop there—he also turned his attention to McLaren’s MCL39, the championship-winning car of 2025, for the fourth time this season. PlanetF1.com’s reporter Thomas Maher captured Newey’s keen interest in Lando Norris’s McLaren, particularly the rear-right and left-front areas, ahead of the sprint and main races.
In a revealing interview with Sky F1, Newey explained his move to the team principal role. He credited Cowell for “magnanimously volunteering” to manage the Honda-Aramco relationship in 2026, leaving the team principal position open. Newey admitted, “Since I’m going to be doing all the early races anyway, it doesn’t actually particularly change my workload… so I may as well pick up that bit.” However, he was quick to emphasize his commitment to design and development, particularly for the new AMR25 car for F1 2026. “That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning,” he said, “so I’m determined not to dilute that.”
Here’s the million-dollar question: As Newey straddles the line between his new role and his design duties, will his insights into Red Bull and McLaren give Aston Martin an edge? Or could this dual focus spread him too thin? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate F1 fans won’t want to miss!
