Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin, as well as the fact that the famous engineer will start working in March 2025 and intends to work full-time and not in “super-consultant” mode, makes his new team one of the favorites in Formula 1 this season -2026, when the new technical regulations come into force. A new ultra-modern base with a new wind tunnel, other stellar engineers, factory support from Honda, powerful financial influence from the owner and sponsors and the evergreen Fernando Alonso at the wheel – all these are serious arguments in favor of Aston Martin.
And yet, the bright future of the Silverstone team depends on many factors: it is possible that in 2026 we will be talking about the same failed season as now. What could go wrong?
1. How will Honda cope?
Let’s remember that in 2026 we will have both new technical regulations for the chassis and updated requirements for engines. Without going into details, now the thermal energy generator will be removed from power plants, while the kinetic energy generator will be responsible for 50% of the power, leaving the remaining half to the internal combustion engine. At the same time, the new internal combustion engines will run on carbon-neutral, environmentally friendly fuel.
Overall, it seems that many of the old components are in place, but the engineers face a really serious challenge in reworking the current power units and developing them. No one can guarantee that Honda will be able to cope with this exercise better than competitors such as Mercedes and Ferrari. And if the Japanese start badly, no technical solutions from Newi and the company will save them. With a serious shortage of horses, the fight for the championship will have to be forgotten.
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2. How will Aston’s technical staff work together?
Newey has until March 2025 to work out the structure of the team’s technical team. Remember that the man in charge now is Adrian’s former Red Bull colleague Dan Fallows, who will retain the role of technical director, but in exchange for his previous freedom he will be given two bosses at once; in addition to Newey, this includes current Ferrari technical director Enrique Cardile, who will take over as chief technical director.
How will areas of responsibility be divided? Will theoretical solutions work in practice? Does Fallows feel disadvantaged by his de facto demotion to his former MP status? Will competitors try to take advantage of this and push Dan away? Only time will provide answers to all these questions.
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3. What about the pilots?
Even if Aston gets the technology to fight for titles, another concern will arise: will the drivers be able to cope with the new level? Well, we won’t talk about Lance Stroll in detail. There is a consensus that the Canadian is an average driver, worthy of F1 level, but not an eagle. As the outspoken James Vowles would say, “he’s not special.” If there is a title fight, it is doubtful that Lance will win it.
As for Fernando Alonso, there is no doubt about his level and credentials, but everyone remembers the Spaniard’s age very well. At the start of the 2026 season, the two-time world champion will be 44 and a half years old, and no one, including Alonso himself, knows how long he will be able to maintain his current level. This season, Fernando is already looking a little worse than in 2023, but this can be attributed to the decline in the level of the car and, with it, the driver’s motivation. One way or another, there is cause for concern.
Fernando Alonso and Adrian Newey
Photo: Andrew Ferraro/Getty Images
4. Will Newey “get old”?
If we talk about age, then, unfortunately, we cannot ignore Adrian himself. Newey will be 66 in December – how long will his brilliant brain be able to generate great ideas? There is reason for optimism: Red Bull’s dominant car was recently created with Adrian’s active participation.
Still, it should not be taken for granted that Newey’s involvement in the work on the car is a guarantee of success. Remember that McLaren was always losing to Ferrari in the early 2000s, and Red Bull also had a long period of relative decline. Yes, most of the blame fell on the weak Renault engines, but the “bulls” admitted that their first chassis after the rule change was not “wow”.
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5. Will Stroll Sr. ruin everything?
Let’s put all our doubts to rest on the figure of the team’s owner. It is believed that although Lawrence Stroll is a tough businessman (and, most importantly, rich enough to implement his own plans), he does not always have enough calmness and patience. Rumors have repeatedly been heard from the Aston Martin camp that when results turn out to be worse than expected, Stroll Sr. quickly becomes ferocious and the atmosphere becomes toxic.
Imagine if Honda is lacking power or reliability, and Newey and company are not going to build a self-driving truck right away – in such a situation, Stroll will need to exercise restraint to simply give the team time and not start ruining it with sudden claims and steps.
Newey’s authority is also reinforced by the fact that he becomes a shareholder in the team; it can be assumed that Lawrence will be sufficiently polite to Adrian and listen to his recommendations. Otherwise, all of Aston’s large-scale preparations will not help.
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