Aston Martin provide crucial Adrian Newey update ahead of Monaco GP

It has been since Melbourne that the British designer, who has also taken on the role of team principal from this season, was last seen publicly at a Formula 1 circuit. However, it was already known that Newey was scheduled to attend only a select number of Grands Prix rather than the full calendar.

Last month, reports emerged in the British media suggesting that Newey had suffered a health scare that required hospital treatment. According to a rumour first reported by the Daily Mail, the Aston Martin team principal and chief designer has since been recovering and is believed to be working primarily from home while continuing to support the team's efforts following a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Asked by GPblog about Newey's current situation and when he would next be seen trackside, Krack revealed that the Briton is expected to return this weekend. He stressed that Newey's vast experience and impressive record of success at the circuit could prove invaluable to the team, adding that Aston Martin hopes to benefit from his insight and guidance as it continues its development efforts.

Honda Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara has outlined one of the key challenges Aston Martin could face around the streets of Monaco. The Japanese engineer explained that the unique characteristics of the circuit require bespoke preparation, particularly when it comes to energy management and cooling.

To address those demands, Honda and Aston Martin have carried out dedicated simulator work aimed at refining the power unit's settings ahead of the weekend. Orihara also pointed out that Monaco's low-speed nature makes cooling especially difficult, meaning the team must strike the right balance for both running in clean air and in traffic, where cars spend much of the race.

With only three practice sessions available, he stressed the importance of maximising track time to fine-tune energy deployment and gather valuable feedback from the drivers. According to Orihara, drivability will be a crucial factor around Monaco's tight and twisty layout, with improvements in that area potentially translating directly into lap time.