Aston Martin's 2026 Gamble: Can Newey's Leadership Break the Midfield Cycle?

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 23: Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner of Aston Martin F1 looks on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 23, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images)

ROHAN SINGH - STAFF WRITER

Aston Martin Formula 1—a team that has a long past in Formula 1 but an equally troubled journey. Numerous identities have not changed the fact that it is still a midfield competitor in Formula 1. But the 2026 season is looking great. A new engine supplier and a new Technical Director have joined their campaign.

Lawrence Stroll was very clear in his approach. He wants a team that produces world champions and not podiums by fluke. As of 2025, the team has not really performed at the level of a world champion, but is it really getting there?

Aston Martin in Formula 1: A Sprinter in a Marathon Session

It would be an exaggeration to call Aston Martin F1 a bad team. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but only flashes. In Formula 1, fleeting success is overlooked and does not last long. However, the sport does remember a world champion. Just look at Brawn GP and Jenson Button.

In 2023, Aston Martin F1 looked like the only team that was able to compete on equal terms with Red Bull Racing. And this is prime Red Bull we are talking about. The same team that nearly won every race in 2023.

Fernando Alonso was raking in more podiums than any Ferrari or Mercedes. At one point, it looked like he would win a race again. Unfortunately, that did not happen. But on a positive note, they did achieve P5 in the constructor’s championship.

Aston Martin's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso stands by the new Formula 1 car of Aston Martin Formula One Team during the Formula One - 2025 season launch "F1 75 LIVE" event at the O2, in London, on February 18, 2025 (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE --- (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Then came the steady decline. The age-old curse that has been affecting them for the past decade struck again. Aston Martin went from 280 points in 2023 to merely 94 points in 2024, still P5 in standings, however. But a 3x drop in championship points is terrible news for the team.

2025 was the death blow to their participation in the Ground Effects era. While other midfield teams rejoiced, Aston Martin was nowhere to be seen. They finished 2025 with P7 in the constructor standings, managing to salvage a meager 89 points during the season. Fernando Alonso’s constant pain with a lack of points finishes was a sore wound that kept bleeding. To make sure that the team did not repeat this performance again, Lawrence Stroll took drastic measures.

Adrian Newey’s Arrival and Partnership with Honda

Honda decided to end their partnership with Red Bull Racing. Guess who they returned with? Aston Martin F1. After powering the Austrian outfit to multiple championships, Honda is entering the new era with the British contingent.

However, there is a slight issue with this new partnership. A new engine in 2026 will carry significant risks and factors that are unaccounted for. One cannot say for sure that the Honda engines will work at the top level again. Just like the 2010s, they might end up creating reliability issues, like they did for McLaren.

But they do have one x-factor to counter Honda’s unpredictable performance. He is–the airbender, Adrian Newey–who has joined in as a major shareholder in the team. There are two aspects to his arrival in the team.

At Red Bull Racing, he was a Technical Director, working on the design and development of the car. His aero philosophy helped the Bulls master the 2022 regulations. In Aston Martin F1, Newey will step up to the big leagues. This time he will run the team in the paddock.

Newey will be the Team Principal for Aston Martin F1 in 2026. And history is the proof that Newey has a knack for squeezing the most out of the team. His innovative ideas with the blown diffuser and KERS system as Red Bull Racing brought Sebastian Vettel his glory in Formula 1. He was the mastermind behind McLaren and Williams’ success in the 1990s.

SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Adrian Newey, Lawrence Stroll, Owner, Aston Martin F1 Team, and Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team at a press conference at Aston Martin Headquarters on September 10, 2024 in Silverstone, England. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images for Aston Martin)

Now that he is effectively controlling every aspect of the team, rapid progress can be made. Newey did not directly influence the 2025 car, but Fernando Alonso did comment that his presence has created a better and more performative environment in the team.

Aston Martin’s fresh start in 2026 can be their best start yet. Giving a reputed change-maker like Adrian Newey the reins to the team will definitely create waves. We have seen it once before–with Ross Brawn and Brawn GP. And hopefully for Aston Martin F1 fans, Newey will bring better results than what’s expected of him.

But, the other side of the story is related to the same role that Newey has. The team is literally building itself around Adrian Newey, pushing their previous team principal into the role of Chief Strategy Officer. What does it mean? The spotlight is now entirely on Adrian Newey. Sure, Adrian Newey has worked as a Race Engineer in his early days. He knows how the paddock works, and he understands the chaos. But in Aston Martin F1, Newey will run the team as an owner. Every mistake will be scrutinized by investors and sponsors.

He will be constantly on the radar of the media, answerable for everything that goes on. He will have to manage the drivers and race strategies in an optimal manner. It is Newey’s biggest challenge yet.

And therefore, a question arises–is Aston Martin going to turn a new leaf in their story?