Aston Martin gears up to snag F1 icon Adrian Newey after his dramatic Red Bull exit

Adrian Newey set to join Aston Martin in 2025, reunite with Dan Fallows to reshape their 2026 F1 car design.

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Adrian Newey, a famed designer who directed the design of cars that won 13 titles for Red Bull since joining in 2006, is scheduled to begin working for Aston Martin in 2025.

Newey's departure from Red Bull was announced in May. September 13–15, is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the next race in Formula One.

Legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey is expected to join Aston Martin in 2025 after leaving Red Bull. The 65-year-old's departure as Red Bull's chief technical officer was confirmed in May, following reported tensions with team principal Christian Horner. Newey will stay with Red Bull until early 2025 to complete his work on the RB17, the team's first hypercar.

British publications understand that Newey will earn $26million per year (£19.8m) at Aston Martin and is expected to start in March 2025.

By joining Aston Martin, Adrian Newey will collaborate with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and is anticipated to significantly influence the design of their 2026 car, marking the first season under new technical regulations.

Newey has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to design competitive F1 cars following regulatory changes, most notably with Red Bull in 2022.

At 65, Adrian Newey has designed 14 championship-winning F1 cars during his tenure with Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull.

Why might Newey join Aston Martin?

Aston Martin has struggled to maintain its competitive edge since mid-last year and currently sits fifth in the constructors' championship, trailing Mercedes by 214 points after 16 rounds.

Despite eight podium finishes last season, their best result in 2024 has been Alonso's fifth-place finish at the Saudi Arabian GP. Both cars finished outside the points in the most recent race at Monza.

From 2026, Honda will provide Aston Martin with power units as the new technical regulations take effect. Fernando Alonso has previously stated that the team has the best long-term project in F1.

Aston Martin, based in Silverstone, opened a new factory last year and now has a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, reflecting their determination to succeed. In 2022, they hired Dan Fallows from Red Bull, who played a crucial role in Sebastian Vettel's four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013, meaning Newey will be reunited with his former colleague.

Choosing Aston Martin would also allow Newey to remain in the UK, whereas joining Ferrari might have required relocating to Italy.

In a recent podcast by a British publication, a reporter discussed why Aston Martin could appeal to Adrian Newey. He pointed out the significant investment Aston Martin has made, particularly in their new factory.

He also noted that Newey would be joining forces with Dan Fallows, a former colleague with whom he had success at Red Bull.

"I would imagine he would have definitely talked to Dan Fallows and asked, 'What is this place that I'm coming to? What's it like?'

"I asked Dan Fallows about this in Hungary actually, whether he'd be happy with Newey joining him. Fallows said, 'What you have to understand is that Adrian is a relentless, unstoppable Formula 1 competitor, and I would be amazed if he didn't join another team, and I would certainly welcome working with Adrian again at Aston Martin'.

"We've all had discussions with various people at Aston Martin about what you can offer someone like Newey. You can say, 'Just come in, be a figurehead, sprinkle your magic dust here and there, put our people on the right path, and we think we've got the ability to do the rest with Fallows and the team that are already there'."