Adrian Newey: Aston Martin boss talks health issues and confirms F1 team set for Hungarian Grand Prix development | F1 News

Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey said it was “fine now” after going through a “difficult time” with health problems.

The legendary F1 designer was speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Aston Martin’s website ahead of their British Grand Prix this weekend where he also spoke of the team’s humility in the new era of sporting regulations and confirmed plans to launch the first supercar development in Hungary at the end of July.

Regarding his illness, Newey said: “I’m fine now, but it’s been a difficult time.

“I said before [about the team’s start to the season]it doesn’t rain but it bears fruit.

“Actually, I wasn’t 100 percent last year. I had to balance life and work very carefully.

“The team handled it incredibly well.

“I’ve maintained a very good relationship with the developers and I don’t see it causing a lot of slack. That’s a testament to how flexible and supportive everyone here is.”

Hungarian GP car repairs confirmed

On the track, Aston Martin has endured a poor start to the 2026 season.

The property has been the slowest car on the field despite entering the era of new F1 rules and what appeared to be a dream ticket for the first car designed by Newey – its drivers have won 25 world titles in three different decades – and a performance engine deal with Honda, winners of recent championships with Red Bull.

Newey admits the team is “probably expecting too much” in early 2026 and that the delay in starting the development of the new car last year, as well as Silverstone’s not yet strong enough inventory, has contributed to the problems.

Honda also experienced vibration and reliability problems with their ineffective power unit.

Aston Martin has scored one point from eight championships so far as their short-term struggles have been compounded by what Newey admitted was a “painful” decision not to bring the usual minor updates to the AMR26 like the rest of the grid for the race until a major overhaul.

But Newey is confident that this approach will be to the team’s long-term advantage, with that first improvement already confirmed at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24-26.

“We plan to present our developments in Hungary for both of these vehicles,” said Newey.

“The main elements of the structure remain the same – the construction of the chassis and the gearbox are unchanged – but we took weight from both, which required re-assembly and crash testing of the chassis going forward.

“The front suspension is unchanged. The rear suspension is slightly revised.

“We made a new nose and significantly updated the aerodynamic areas. Therefore, although the main structure is the same, it is a large aerodynamic package with significant weight reduction. The goal is to be very close to the weight limit.”

Newey, who added the title of group principal earlier this year to his existing role of managing technology partner, expects significant improvements during the move but remains cautious about the overall outcome.

“We predict a big step forward, but I hesitate to put specific numbers because our simulation tools are not yet as sophisticated or as well-connected as they need to be,” added the 67-year-old.

“Historically, in this group, there hasn’t been enough investment in engineering simulation tools – not just project management systems, but the basic physics tools themselves. We’re making that investment now, but you don’t rewrite and validate those tools overnight. Matching them properly to a real car takes time.

“Right now, they’re making progress, but the real benefits of that work will come later.”

Will Alonso stay in 2027?

With the future of star driver Fernando Alonso, whose contract with the team expires after this season, Newey hopes that if they can show “clear, visible progress” at the age of 44 with their development in Hungary he will stay until 2027.

Asked how important the Budapest upgrade is to Alonso, who will weigh up his F1 future this summer, Newey said: “It’s very important. Fernando is looking forward to the upgrade and, if it happens, we hope he’ll be in the cockpit for another season.

“Given the knowledge he has, the way he feels about the car, his ability to direct development, he is a great help.

“But you want to see clear, tangible progress. If we can show we’re moving in the right direction, you’re fully committed to being behind the wheel.”

Newey says the whole team is motivated to get back on the grid.

“You walk around the AMR Technology Campus at night and the lights are still on. There are a lot of evenings, a lot of motivation, and a real determination to prove that we can do this,” he added.

“We have the resources, we have the people, we have a lot of talent. The task is to make everything gel – and to some extent, take the pressure off ourselves to breathe and focus on medium and long-term plans, not just the next race.

“That means not only solving our immediate aero and mechanical problems, but also introducing better systems and processes that support the way we design and build the car.”

Next up in the big 2026 Formula 1 season, the Sprint weekend at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix – live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One broadcast from Thursday to Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel anytime