Apr.23 (GMM) Tension may already be creeping into Adrian Newey’s new professional collaboration with Aston Martin.
On track, the performance of the team’s 2025 car is so dire that respected Spanish journalist Carlos Miguel thinks a radical idea should be considered.
“I’m starting to think that resurrecting the 2024 car might be the best solution,” he wrote in Marca sports newspaper.
Leading technical figures rushed from Saudi Arabia back to the team’s plush new ‘campus’ at Silverstone for what is being dubbed an emergency meeting.
It is believed Newey was not even present.
“He doesn’t go to meetings, he doesn’t answer emails, he’s just preparing a fast car,” team boss Andy Cowell had said at Jeddah. “And we all support that process.”
Fernando Alonso said something similar – that it is Newey’s “decision” whether he intervenes with the 2025 car of remains focused entirely on the 2026 project.
“I feel sorry for Fernando,” team ambassador and Alonso’s long-time friend and colleague Pedro de la Rosa told DAZN, “but right now we can’t give him anything better.
“I’m suffering too, especially as I have no influence on the car’s performance. I’m not a test driver anymore. I can’t intervene, and it’s painful.
“Let no one think we’re taking it as a joke. I haven’t been able to sleep for several days because I don’t like seeing where we are,” the Spaniard added.
It is believed Newey, who arrived at the team from Red Bull ‘gardening leave’ in early March, is refusing to divert his focus from the 2026 car to fix the woefully-underperforming 2025 single seater.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos was at Jeddah, and he said the atmosphere around Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll is palpably tense.
“Lawrence Stroll has a huge aura around him, but it’s not so nice to be around him at the moment,” he told Ziggo Sport.
“The story is going around now that he’s furious that Adrian Newey doesn’t want to get involved with the 2025 car,” Doornbos added.
Not just that, despite huge investments made by Stroll, he may currently be under pressure to sell the team to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
“There are talks going on about that,” Doornbos insisted, explaining that Aston Martin’s woeful pace may be driving down the value. “Newey is saying ‘I’m only working on 2026’, while Stroll is thinking ‘I already pay you 33 million a year!
“I’m noticing that there is a lot of friction there.”
Doornbos even thinks Newey will not be minding Aston Martin’s performance crisis at all, because there will be no carry-over of components or design philosophy from 2025 to 2026.
“There is also a bit of strategy in it,” the Dutchman continued. “Newey won’t mind if Aston Martin finishes second-to-last in the constructors, because then he will get a lot more time in the wind tunnel.”
The Indianapolis 500 is an American tradition, and the 2026 race marks the 110th year of this historic event. Guests of Grand Prix Tours will enjoy premium accommodations, options for exclusive suite access, and unforgettable race-day experiences, including a police escort to the track. Highlights include visits to the newly renovated Indy 500 Museum, Gasoline Alley, and the Dallara IndyCar Factory, plus patriotic pre-race festivities like the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Join us for our 41st trip to the legendary Indy 500!
SHOW PACKAGES
The Monaco Grand Prix, often called the crown jewel of Formula 1, is one of the most prestigious races in the world and part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting in 2026, the race will move from May to June to better align with the F1 schedule, placing the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the season. Grand Prix Tours has taken care of all of the details and has arranged an amazing motorsports vacation. Call 949 719 3350 to book your trip or to contact us with any questions.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, a fan favorite on the F1 calendar. The city comes alive for race week packed with energy, events, and unforgettable nightlife. This year, the action shifts to Memorial Day weekend (late May), part of F1’s new, eco-friendly schedule. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the atmosphere where motorsport meets Montreal magic. Book your spot now this one sells out fast!
SHOW PACKAGES