Legendary Red Bull tech chief inks mega deal with Aston Martin (2024)

Legendary technical chief Adrian Newey will join Aston Martin on a blockbuster new deal starting next March.

Newey, widely regarded as one of the greatest designers in Formula 1 history, will become Aston Martin’s managing technical partner as well as taking a shareholding in the team, which is spearheaded by billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll.

The BBC has reported the deal is worth a staggering $295 million, with the 65-year-old entitled to up to £30 million ($59 million) per season over five years.

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“I have been hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that Lawrence 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 [Aston Martin factory] 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.”

The Englishman has been at the helm of Red Bull Racing’s design office since 2006 but announced earlier this year that he would be quitting the team.

His departure followed RBR’s tumultuous start to the campaign, which was overshadowed by accusations of improper behaviour against Christian Horner which blew up into a public feud between key players in the team.

A quiet bidding war ensued to capture the design guru ahead of the sweeping regulations of 2026.

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Ferrari emerged as an early frontrunner, having attempted to poach him and technical director Pierre Waché in previous years.

The Scuderia went cold, however, with reports out of Italy since suggesting management wasn’t prepared to engage in a bidding war Newey’s services given the already massive starting price for his services.

McLaren, Mercedes and Williams were all linked to Newey, but Aston Martin quickly replaced Ferrari as top of the list thanks to a combination of the impressive investment into its facilities and its ability to meet his considerable personal terms.

With pen now put to paper, Newey becomes the statement acquisition of the Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin project alongside two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who signed a contract extension taking him to the end of 2026.

“This is huge news,” Stroll said. “Adrian is the best in the world at what he does.

“It’s the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula 1 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.”

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The deal will also see Newey reunited with Honda, whose motors have powered his cars to the last two constructors titles.

Newey’s Formula 1 career started with the March team in 1988, where he was elevated to technical director just two years later when the team rebranded as Leyton House.

But it was his move to Williams in 1991 that shot his name to engineering stardom, with his first championship double coming just one year into his tenure, in 1992. The team would go on to claim nine constructors and drivers titles with cars of Newey’s design.

He moved to McLaren in 1997 and by 1998 had again claimed a title double, with another drivers championship coming via Mika Häkkinen in 1999.

But his move to Red Bull Racing in 2006 was by far his most successful. Convinced to take a punt on the minnow with more of a reputation for partying than racing, by 2009 he’d turned RBR into a winner and by 2010 it won the first of six constructors titles and seven drivers championships.

Aston Martin is hoping for a similar bounce. The team is currently fifth in the constructors championship, but owner Stroll is hoping his significant investments in infrastructure and staff will pay significant dividends in the new rules era in 2026, work on which will be allowed to start on 1 January next year.

Legendary Red Bull tech chief inks mega deal with Aston Martin (2024)

FAQs

Legendary Red Bull tech chief inks mega deal with Aston Martin? ›

Adrian Newey

Adrian Newey
Adrian Martin Newey, OBE (born 26 December 1958) is a British Formula One engineer. He was the chief technical officer of the Red Bull Racing F1 team until he resigned in May 2024. On 7 September 2024 he signed with Aston Martin Racing as a shareholder and the Managing Technical Partner.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › 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
Red Bull
Gianpiero Lambiase, often known as GP (born 14 October 1980), is an Italian-British Formula One engineer. He is currently the race engineer for Max Verstappen at the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Gianpiero_Lambiase
in May after 19 years with the world champions, will take up his new role in March 2025.

Is Adrian Newey going to Aston Martin? ›

At an event at its factory, Aston Martin announced that Newey would be joining the team as a technical managing partner and as a shareholder. Newey will set the vision for the various technical heads - including Dan Fallows, Luca Furbatto, the incoming Enrico Cardile, et al - with the aim of going for the 2026 title.

Why does Red Bull have an Aston Martin sponsor? ›

Red Bull started working with Aston Martin in 2016 thanks to the formation of what was called an “innovation partnership”. That led to Aston Martin branding appearing on the F1 car and Red Bull (and Newey) collaborating with it on a road car project.

Why does Red Bull not use Aston Martin engines? ›

It's no secret that Aston Martin has deep pockets thanks to its owner Lawrence Stroll. Horner alluded to this, saying the move was “certainly an expensive decision.” Despite this expression of dissatisfaction, Red Bull is very committed to building its own engines, and doing so allegedly saved many team members' jobs.

Who is the owner of Aston Martin Racing? ›

Lawrence Stroll: How the Aston Martin F1 owner made his $3.9 billion fortune. Lawrence Stroll is the multi-billionaire leading the Aston Martin F1 team, and helped secure his son Lance's F1 career.

How much did Aston Martin offer Adrian Newey? ›

He has signed a long-term deal, worth what is believed to be up to £30m a year, and will become a shareholder in another bold statement of intent from Aston Martin's billionaire owner, Lawrence Stroll.

Did Adrian Newey design the Aston Martin Valkyrie? ›

Newey designed Aston Martin's Valkyrie hypercar, back when Aston Martin was a sponsor of the Red Bull F1 team, and with any luck he will also design a successor to that model. In a statement, Newey said he looks forward to making Aston Martin a world championship-winning team.

Why is Honda leaving F1? ›

Three years after announcing it was leaving Formula One to focus on next-generation automotive technology, Honda has reversed course by announcing it is partnering with Aston Martin for the 2026 season, which will see a slew of new engine regulations come into force aimed at reaching net-zero carbon emissions.

What is Red Bull's biggest sponsor? ›

Red Bull Racing's total sponsorship revenue for the 2023 season is over $226m, with the biggest single investment coming from Oracle, which is an agreement valued at $60m per year.

When did Aston Martin split from Red Bull? ›

Between 2016 and 2020 Aston Martin served as a sponsor for Red Bull Racing, and as title sponsor of the team between 2018 and 2020.

Is Honda buying Aston Martin? ›

It's official: Aston Martin will be Honda's partner for its 2026 Formula 1 engine project. The news adds even more momentum to Aston Martin's F1 programme in a year when it's already starring. But can this alliance be as successful as Red Bull-Honda has been?

Who builds Red Bull engines? ›

Honda continued to support the Red Bull-owned teams in 2022 and will do so until the end of 2025. Honda assembles the power units and provides trackside and race operation support. The power units remain Honda's intellectual property, and due to a development freeze, Red Bull Powertrains will not develop them.

Who is making the Red Bull engine in 2024? ›

The Red Bull Racing RB20 is a Formula One car designed and constructed by Red Bull Racing and powered by the Honda RBPTH002 power unit to compete in the 2024 Formula One World Championship.

What kind of person drives an Aston Martin? ›

Aston Martins are typically designed with gentlemen in mind. They are stylish, elegant, simple, and sophisticated.

Who owns most of Aston Martin? ›

While Ford was the owner for around two decades, the brand is currently owned by Canadian investor Lawrence Stroll. Get to know the history behind the Aston Martin legacy, and stop by Aston Martin Palm Beach to see these legendary vehicles up close and in person! Where Are Aston Martins Made?

What is the Aston Martin controversy? ›

In late 2020, Aston Martin was involved in a controversy in which it was accused of using a report to spread disputed information about electric vehicles in the wake of the UK's declaration to end the sale of combustion engine vehicles by 2030, with some in the media dubbing the controversy as "Astongate".

Who is joining Aston Martin? ›

Adrian Newey's move to Aston Martin has been officially announced after months of speculation. The switch brings an end to the rumours surrounding the future of the technical guru who has earned more titles through his designs than any driver has won on track.

Who will drive for Aston Martin F1? ›

The team, owned by Lawrence Stroll, has Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as their race drivers beginning with the 2023 season.

Who is the new principal of Aston Martin? ›

F1 - Aston Martin's Team Principal, Mike Krack would welcome the chance to work with the three-time world champ.

Who is the new Aston Martin F1 boss? ›

Former Mercedes Power Unit chief Andy Cowell joins Aston Martin as new CEO | Formula 1®

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