Newey is in a 'trance' designing the new Aston Martin: 'He's uplifting everyone'

16:47, 03 Sep

Updated: 16:48, 03 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are encouraged by the work they see Adrian Newey carrying out for the 2026 season.

In March 2025, the British master designer could began working for Aston Martin, after his gardening leave period ended with Red Bull Racing.

Newey is focusing on Aston Martin's 2026 challenger, when the new technical regulations will come into effect in Formula 1.

In Hungary, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso already praised Newey's anticipation, explaining it is 'incredible' how he looks ahead to the challenges the team might face over the course of the '26 season.

Newey is in 'trance'

"You spend more time with him and you keep learning things: how he works, how he approaches challenges, all these kind of normal day-by-day things in Formula 1," the Spaniard began to GPblog among others in Zandvoort.

"But I think he's still a person that is very special and only a few people will fully understand him and know exactly what he's thinking and doing.

"We will need more time. At the moment we are in the phase of learning from him. Every conversation, every idea, everything that he says, we take very carefully.

"We listen and try to understand the approach that he's taking into that comment. Thanks to that, I think we are growing as a team. It has been very special for sure."

Alonso also believes Newey can understand the him as a driver, and explained he has already learned a lot from him.

"I think all the questions and ideas he raises, he explains why he thinks that it's going to be a good solution for the team, for the car and for the drivers as well. For example, how to approach the corner entry — maybe next year it’s very different than this year.

"Top speed is going to be different next year. Tyres are going to be different next year. So he tries to anticipate what the drivers will face in certain moments on the lap, in qualifying versus the race. He's very educative."

Alonso's teammate, Lance Stroll, also has a smile on his face when talking about the master designer.

"Adrian right now is in a trance focused on drawing next year's car. So we spent some time together and it's always great just hearing what he has to say and just talking about the future.

"He's just so passionate and excited about the new regulations. That's what's awesome to see: just how much passion, focus, effort is going into the new regs.

"And the team too, just being in a new environment, a new team, how he's uplifting everyone and just creating this healthier culture inside of the whole factory."

The Canadian concluded: "I think there's not much reason not to smile about Adrian Newey making next year's car. It's all exciting times."