Newey joined Aston Martin earlier this season after 19 years at Red Bull Racing, ahead of the new 2026 technical regulations which looks to shake-up the F1 grid as we know it. During the last technical regulations overhaul, Newey assisted Red Bull, who have dominated the recent ground effect era of regulations from 2022-2025.

Newey revealed on Maaden's Unearth Your Greatness video: "I've tried to learn to use that [fear of failure] constructively, because it's the difference between too much pressure, or pressure mismanaged, causing mistakes, versus leading to quite a focused and tunnel vision-like state."

The pressure and focus is on Newey at Aston Martin, after the AMR25 car hasn't been capable of being competitive at the front of the field. Last week, it was also reported that Aston Martin had removed seven staff members from technical roles, including aerodynamics director Eric Blandin.

Newey appears to be leading the charge at Aston Martin on the technical side, as it was also reported earlier this year that Enrico Cardile, who served as Ferrari's Head of Aero Development from 2016-2024, would be joining the team as Chief Technical Officer.

Newey continued: "My wife, over the last three, four months, since I've joined the team, complains that I'm in a design trance, and I understand what she means, that I don't see left and right, and I'm probably not terribly sociable. What limited processing power I have is all concentrated on the task at hand, given these pressing deadlines. But that's not a state to stay in for too long, and that all sounds quite egotistical as well."

Having joined Aston Martin earlier this season, Newey has been working to tight deadlines in order to complete the development of the AMR26 in time, whilst also attempting to settle into the new team. He will be reuniting with Honda, who will be powering Aston Martin next season, after a hugely successful stint with the Japanese manufacturer at Red Bull, which saw the team claim four Drivers' Championships and two Constructors' Championships between 2021-2024.

These new technical regulations will see an overhaul of both the current engine and aerodynamic regulations that have been in effect since 2022. Next season will also see the addition of an entirely new F1 team, Cadillac, as well as Audi, who take over from Sauber at the end of this season.

Newey added: "It's really ultimately all about the team and how we work together." 

Aston Martin's best season to date was the 2023 championship, where Fernando Alonso was able to score nine podium finishes. However, what followed were two difficult seasons for the team, with Alonso and Lance Stroll unable to reach the podium.

With the addition of Newey, Cardile and others behind the scenes, as well as the removal of previous technical directives, Aston Martin will be hoping to hit the ground running at the start of 2026.

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