Newey backs 'more mature' Aston Martin to seize F1 2027 opportunity

For the overwhelming majority of the current campaign, it has been hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel for Aston Martin, ever since they arrived to the 2026 season opener in Melbourne with severe engine vibration issues that prevented drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll from finishing a number of races.

Other power unit and chassis concerns on the AMR26 have also compounded to see the British team at the very back of the grid, even behind newcomers Cadillac, for most of the season - a major disappointment given the arrival of Newey in 2025, an engine partnership with Honda, and a £200 state-of-the-art Silverstone facility.

At the most recent race, however, at the Hungarian GP, Aston's first major upgrade package of the season arrived, seemingly leapfrogging them ahead of Cadillac and Williams in the pecking order. Other than Alonso's rather fortunate P10 finish earlier in the season in Monaco, Aston's P13 and P14 in Budapest is the most encouraging sign yet that they can turn things around - with a much needed power unit upgrade also scheduled for F1's return at Zandvoort.

Looking further ahead, though, designer-turned-boss Newey has said work has already begun on Aston Martin's AMR27, expressing optimism that the team's tough start to life under the post-2026 generation of regulations will ultimately make them stronger.

Speaking recently on Aston Martin's website, Newey confirmed the team are in the early stages of developing the AMR27, with the "key aim" of avoiding the same pressure and time constraints experienced last year. The 67-year-old has explained "serious work" on the current car did not get underway until April 2025, leaving Aston several months behind their rivals.

"Yes, we're in the early research stages," the former Red Bull designer said. "Right now, it's about the big architectural decisions: where we position the engine in the wheelbase, how we position the chassis, and the fundamental choices that affect very long lead‑time items.

Next year, further tweaks to the controversial F1 2026 regulations - which have so far featured a near 50/50 split between electrical power and internal combustion - are to be introduced. In 2027, a 58/42 split in favour of internal combustion will be implemented, as well as a five percent fuel flow increase.

Asked for his take on the new formula, Newey said: "The most obvious changes are on the power unit side: five per cent extra fuel, some adjustments to energy storage and deployment, and some finer tweaks."

Highlighting the 'tea tray' as a "key" change for Aston Martin, Newey explained why he is optimistic the Silverstone team can bounce back in 2027, insisting they are a "much more mature" organisation now than they were six months ago. Newey said: "The key one for us is that front‑of‑floor change. It gives everyone a different aero challenge to solve.