Aston Martin shocked the Formula 1 paddock by installing Adrian Newey as their new team principal ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
After nearly 40 years designing cars and leading multiple teams to championships, he’s ready to take complete control. It’s interesting timing heading into the 2026 F1 regulations.
Amid disputes with ex-boss Andy Cowell, the team have completed a reshuffle that will see them have a fourth different leader in the last four years.
But Newey becoming a team principal isn’t really something anyone ever thought of. It’s as much of a bombshell as could be dropped. Aston Martin clearly have a lot of faith in him.
Fans believe Newey could lure Verstappen to Aston Martin for 2027, which would be a shocker of a move, and leave Red Bull desperately searching for their next superstar.
But that isn’t the only driver they could be interested in, with Charles Leclerc being linked with a move as well.
Aston Martin could give Christian Horner executive role after sorting Adrian Newey issues
When Newey decided to leave Red Bull last year, part of the reason was a growing frustration within the team. His relationship with Horner wasn’t too good, either.
But they have known each other for some time and worked together for nearly 20 years at Red Bull, winning numerous titles.
Now, Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater reports that the two have set their differences ‘aside’, opening up the potential for him to take on a Zak Brown-esque executive role in the future.
“Might this still be a potentially interim solution. Not necessarily removing the team principal title from Newey, which he will hold into the 2026 season and onwards. Is there space still for a chief executive figure, perhaps along the lines of the job Zak Brown does at McLaren?
“Could that figure possibly still be Christian Horner, who was associated with potentially succeeding Cowell as team principal himself? Horner cannot work within F1 until April next year.
“He is looking not just for a job in F1, but for a stakeholding within a team. Is there still the potential for him to link up again with Newey, despite their past differences, which we understand, have been set aside?”
What could Christian Horner bring to Aston Martin and Adrian Newey?
Horner is more of a commercial boss than he is an engineer. One of his great strengths at Red Bull was dealing with the politics of the championship.
Facing that would distract Newey from designing a good car and add to his workload. It’s part of what a team principal does, but McLaren’s setup also works well.
An executive officer role could suit Horner well. Newey can manage trackside operations, and Horner can deal with anything sporting in the media or on the commercial side of things.
Combine that with his experience and knowledge, and potentially, he could be a great appointment for Aston Martin. The only issue to solve after that is whether or not they want to offer him a stake in the team.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen has reportedly opened talks with a rival team as a plan B to Red Bull
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
