Aston Martin is looking to Adrian Newey for a much-needed turnaround as the Formula 1 team faces early-season challenges. Newey’s leadership is already being hailed as “critical” to the team’s recovery, according to Pedro de la Rosa, who has taken on an increased role as a consultant.
The team encountered difficulties during the second day of winter testing in Bahrain, with a problem in the energy recovery system limiting Fernando Alonso’s track time. Lance Stroll also faced setbacks, completing only six laps on Friday without setting a competitive time due to a shortage of spare parts.
These issues come as Newey’s ambitious vision for Aston Martin faces a harsh reality. Sources indicate Newey privately raised concerns during a recent Formula 1 Commission meeting in Bahrain regarding a significant shortfall in the performance of the new Honda engine.
Reports suggest the Japanese power unit is currently unable to meet the minimum regulatory threshold of 250 kWh for energy recovery, and reaching the upper limit of 350 kWh – achievable under certain race conditions – appears unattainable at this stage.
The AMR26 represents a new era for Aston Martin, being the first Formula 1 car designed under Newey’s direction. He currently holds the dual roles of technical director and team principal for the 2026 season, having assumed the positions less than a year ago.
De la Rosa, increasingly visible as a key figure in Aston Martin’s transition, emphasized the immediate impact of Newey’s leadership in Bahrain.
“I don’t suppose the team has changed that much. We are the same people, we are the same,” De la Rosa explained to the media.
“It’s simply that since Adrian has arrived, his leadership is unquestionable. The biggest difference I felt, for example, was yesterday, after a very difficult day of testing here in Bahrain. He spoke during the technical debrief, and his leadership is so strong that the entire team knows exactly what they have to do.”
“And that’s very different from previous years, where everyone could have their own theory. With Adrian, things are very clear: what needs to be done is defined, and no one raises their hand to question it. We have a massive amount of resources working in one single direction.”
De la Rosa acknowledges that Newey’s authority might not be apparent from the outside, but highlights its unifying effect within the team.
“I realize it might not seem convincing to you, but believe me, sitting there and experiencing those moments was extremely inspiring for all of us, especially when things go wrong. When everything is going well, you don’t demand a leader. It’s when things go wrong.”
“It’s crucial,” he added, reflecting on Newey’s experience in navigating the team’s early-season difficulties. “Having Adrian in the team is a turning point. We are not happy. Let’s be honest, no one is happy when we are seconds off where we expected to be. But it’s also important to say that no one is worried. That’s different. We are not satisfied, but we’re not thinking, ‘That’s it, it’s over.’ Absolutely not.”
