The delayed start of the Aston Martin AMR26 at last week's Formula 1 Barcelona shakedown test was a major story, with many pundits speculating about the team's tardy arrival and suggesting it reflected failure or incompetence. However, there is a bigger picture at play here in terms of where Newey is trying to take the team - not just over this season, but also on into the future.
The car left rivals stunned by its aero and mechanical details, especially around the suspension. A perfect storm of circumstance led to the delay, including adapting to new partners at Honda and designing and building its own bespoke gearbox for the first time in two decades.
Newey was not allowed to start work at Aston until March 1st, 2025, under the terms of his Red Bull gardening leave, but he quickly stamped his authority on the 2026 project and set a new direction. The team's tardy arrival was worth it, as it is now the best tunnel in the F1 business - a luxury for Newey, who was used to working with Red Bull's relatively ancient facility that is literally a relic of the Cold War.
Newey has not spoken to the media since he first signed for Aston, but on Tuesday he gave us a fascinating insight into how he tackled the challenge via a Q&A on the team's website. He admits that he doesn't know if he got it right, but he pushed all deadlines in order to have the best possible all-round solution - one with plenty of room for development.
The car is tightly packaged and required a very close working relationship with the mechanical designers to achieve its aerodynamic shapes. Not everyone was a fit for this new philosophy, and several key players departed in late 2025, some of whom had been hired by Stroll amid great fanfare just a couple of years earlier.
Given all of this, the fact that the car ran only a couple of days behind the schedule Newey targeted when he arrived 11 months ago should be seen as a positive.
Newey's approach to designing and building the AMR26 is a testament to his experience and expertise in the F1 world. His willingness to take risks and push boundaries is what sets him apart from other team principals. With the new regulations in place, it will be interesting to see how he navigates the challenges ahead and whether his approach pays off.
