Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the greatest designer in Formula 1 history, has joined Aston Martin as managing technical partner, with a mission to lead the team to a world championship.

The announcement was made at the team’s F1 base in Silverstone, where Newey also became a shareholder in the team.

The 65-year-old’s new contract is reportedly a five-year deal worth up to £30 million a year, including bonuses and add-ons, making him one of the highest earners in the sport, behind only top drivers like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. According to Forbes, Newey would rank just below Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, and Tyson Fury among British sporting figures.

Newey expressed his admiration for Aston Martin’s team owner Lawrence Stroll, saying he was “hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment” shown by the Canadian billionaire. Stroll has invested heavily in the team, building a new state-of-the-art factory and wind tunnel at Silverstone and securing a factory engine partnership with Honda starting in 2026. The partnership marks Honda’s return to Aston Martin after supplying engines to current world champions Red Bull since 2019.

Newey’s move to Aston Martin aligns with the team’s ambitious goals, which include the presence of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso under contract until the end of 2026, alongside Stroll’s son Lance as the other driver. “Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team,” Newey said. “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.”

Stroll expressed his pride in securing Newey’s expertise, stating: “Adrian is the best in the world at what he does—he is at the top of his game. It’s the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build an F1 team capable of fighting for world championships.”

Newey, who previously considered offers from Ferrari, McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, was drawn to Aston Martin by the shared vision and commitment demonstrated by Stroll. “Adrian is a racer and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. He quickly understood what we are trying to achieve. We mean business—and so does he,” said Stroll.

Newey will begin his role in early March next year, joining a team of engineers that includes several high-profile recruits. Dan Fallows, who worked under Newey at Red Bull from 2006-2021, serves as Aston Martin’s technical director. Former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell, credited with developing the dominant power unit in F1’s hybrid era, will take on the role of chief executive officer starting 1 October. Additionally, former Ferrari chassis technical director Enrico Cardile will join as chief technical officer in 2025.

With these strategic appointments, Aston Martin is poised to challenge the established leaders in Formula 1, leveraging Newey’s unparalleled design expertise and the robust infrastructure at their new Silverstone base. The team’s pursuit of a world championship has taken a significant step forward with Newey’s arrival, marking a new chapter in their ambitious journey to the top of the sport.

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F1 design legend Adrian Newey joins Aston Martin in bid for world championship