F1 design genius Adrian Newey signs for Aston Martin in stunning deal

The legendary F1 designer is leaving Red Bull after 19 years and was heavily linked with a move to Ferrari

Adrian Newey will join Aston Martin next year in a staggering £20m-a-year deal, the F1 team announced this morning.

The legendary Formula 1 designer, who announced his departure from Red Bull in May after 19 years with the world champions, will take up his new role in March 2025.

• READ MORE: Why has Adrian Newey signed for Aston Martin over Ferrari?

The likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine and Williams all made enquiries for Newey’s services but team owner Lawrence Stroll’s vision to turn Aston Martin into F1 world champions has persuaded Newey to join the Silverstone-based outfit.

Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton has previously expressed an interest in working with Newey but the Scuderia’s interest in the designer cooled in recent months, with the team unwilling to enter a bidding war with Aston. Newey, 65, will receive a reported annual salary of £19.8m ($26m) and will become a shareholder of Aston Martin as part of a five-year contract.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, I have been hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that [team owner] Lawrence Stroll brings to everything he is involved with,” Newey said.

“Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team. He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport. His commitment is demonstrated in the development of the new AMR Technology Campus and wind tunnel at Silverstone, which are not only state of the art but have a layout that creates a great environment to work in.

“Together with great partners like Honda and Aramco, they have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team and I am very much looking forward to helping reach that goal.”

Newey decided to leave Red Bull in May, with the fallout from the investigation into Christian Horner’s conduct and the subsequent power struggle at Red Bull a factor in his decision.

The design guru will now play a pivotal role in Aston Martin’s car ahead of new engine and chassis regulations in 2026 with drivers Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 world champion, and Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence, hoping to benefit from the Brit’s experience and expertise.

Adrian Newey will join Aston Martin in a deal worth £20m-a-year (Action Images via Reuters)

Lewis Hamilton had expressed an interest in working with Newey at Ferrari next year (AP)

Aston Martin, who are the fifth-quickest team this year, have invested heavily in their F1 project, with team owner Stroll funding a new state-of-the-art factory and wind tunnel in Silverstone, as well as securing Honda as a works engine partner from 2026.

Max Verstappen has also been linked with a move to Aston Martin, having capitalised on Newey’s knowledge of ground-effect cars with drivers’ titles in the last three years. The Dutchman also leads this year’s world championship by 62 points with eight races to go.

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season but the rift between father Jos and team boss Horner means he is yet to confirm his future beyond next year.

Newey has won 12 drivers’ championships and 13 constructors’ titles during a 30-plus year career in Formula 1, working for Williams and McLaren before joining Red Bull.

Lawrence Stroll added: “This is huge news. Adrian is the best in the world at what he does – he is at the top of his game – and I am incredibly proud that he is joining Aston Martin.

Newey will work alongside Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

“It’s the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula One team capable of fighting for world championships. As soon as Adrian became available, we knew we had to make it happen. Our initial conversations confirmed that there was a shared desire to collaborate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Adrian is a racer and one of the most competitive people I have ever met.

“When he saw what we have built at Silverstone – our incredible AMR Technology Campus, the talented group of people we have assembled and the latest wind tunnel in the sport – he quickly understood what we are trying to achieve.

“We mean business – and so does he. Adrian shares our hunger and ambition, he believes in this project, and he will help us write the next chapter in Aston Martin Aramco’s Formula One story.”

Newey will be joined by ex-Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell, who joins as CEO next month, and Ferrari’s former chassis technical director Enrico Cardile.

Dan Fallows, who worked as an aerodynamicist under Newey at Red Bull between 2006 and 2021, joined Aston Martin as technical director in 2022.