Motorsport photoEd HardyThu, November 27, 2025 at 9:59 PM UTC·6 min readDouble Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso reckons Adrian Newey becoming the Aston Martin team principal in 2026 is a ‘logical step’ for the Silverstone squad.
Aston Martin confirmed a restructuring on Wednesday, as Newey will move from managing technical partner to team boss with incumbent Andy Cowell becoming chief strategy officer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt comes after a disappointing season for the British outfit, which is eighth in the championship and far from the levels it reached in 2023 with six podiums in the opening eight grands prix.
This year has also not been of the level that ambitious owner Lawrence Stroll has expected, given he’s invested significantly since taking over in 2018 - then named Racing Point Force India.
One of his biggest moves was signing Newey at the start of this year and the legendary engineer has been working hard on the 2026 regulation change - with it initially thought that his main focus was simply designing the car.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, when Alonso was asked ahead of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix if he ever saw Newey making the transition, the Aston Martin driver said: “Not really. We were discussing more technical stuff about the car than any other thing or future dreams, but yeah, it's good news.
Watch: F1 Update: McLaren explains what caused Norris and Piastri DSQ, what’s behind Newey’s promotion?
“He was, anyway, managing in a way the technical development of the car, but also the team, the people that were needed and taking care of which areas we need to reinforce as a team, which other areas were less important.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“So, in a way, he was doing internally a lot of management and Andy was doing a lot of management as well on the engine side and engine integration to the chassis. It was maybe a normal logic step into 2026.”
The move comes just a year into Cowell’s tenure, having previously headed the Mercedes powertrain department where he was crucial for its dominant run from 2014 to 2021.
Alonso therefore thinks this sets Aston Martin up for success in the new rules era, where it will become a Honda works’ outfit, thus ending its tenure as a Mercedes customer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We have probably the two best people,” the Spaniard added. “One doing the chassis and the team, one [doing] the engine integration and the team as well.
“And we have a very strong leader with Lawrence, with the determination that Lawrence has and the commitment that he's shown for many, many years already.
Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin F1 Team
Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin F1 Team“So between the three of them, I think we are in good hands. Let's move into 2026 with hopefully a better car.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt is such experience that Alonso thinks is perfect for guiding Aston given its growing workforce, having recently opened up a new facility across the road from Silverstone circuit.
“I think with Adrian, there is only one style, which is performance,” said Alonso, when asked about what his leadership style will be. “There is no other word. There is just the unlimited search for performance and perfection. Great competitor, great leader.
“So I think the whole team, which is not that we are not into the performance direction now, but I think with Adrian, it will be even more extreme. If we can embrace that approach from everybody. We cannot forget this team is still very new and now the team grew up so quickly in the last two or three years.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“So a lot of our employees are new to the sport, are young, energetic people that we need the guidance of Adrian, or these great leaders, that we have to teach them what is the way to succeed in Formula 1.
“We have the two most successful individuals ever in the sport, Andy Cowell and Adrian Newey.”
Photos from Qatar GP - Thursday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariKym Illman / Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementScuderia Ferrari pit crew practice
Scuderia Ferrari pit crew practiceDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariKym Illman / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, FerrariKym Illman / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA general view of the Paddock
A general view of the PaddockMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Scuderia Ferrari pit crew practice
Scuderia Ferrari pit crew practiceDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, SauberGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineJayce Illman / Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
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