Why the Aston Martin team is still waiting for the 'Newey effect'
Adrian Newey joined the Aston Martin team as managing technical partner in March 2025, which was two months after the 2026 aerodynamic regulations had already been made public. This left the team with limited time to adapt, forcing them to quickly shift direction. Newey immediately asked the team to stop all existing design work and adopt his new approach, which put them further behind schedule.
Compounding the issue, the team’s wind tunnel was not ready for use until mid-April, delaying critical testing phases. This setback pushed them nearly four months behind other teams in terms of development progress and data collection. The delayed start made it difficult to match the pace of teams who had already been working on their designs.
These overlapping challenges became clear at the start of the 2025 season, when the new car and engine proved to be both uncompetitive and unreliable. These issues were a direct result of the compressed timeline and technical hurdles.
Steps toward progress
Since the early setbacks, Aston Martin has worked hard to improve. Under Newey’s leadership, the team reorganized its operations, improved systems, and redesigned the car. These changes led to the introduction of a lighter, more aerodynamically efficient car at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Early results showed lap times improved by approximately two seconds, a significant step forward.
Honda is also planning an engine upgrade for the Dutch Grand Prix in August, which is expected to help close the gap to the top teams. However, the upgrade will not eliminate the performance deficit entirely. Even with these improvements, it is clear that the full benefits of Newey’s approach will not be seen until 2027, when the team can fully implement a new design.
2027 marks the likely full arrival of the 'Newey effect'
According to BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, the first car fully developed under Newey’s leadership will not appear until 2027. The success of this car will depend largely on Honda’s progress with its 2027 engine. For now, Aston Martin must continue to manage the long-term effects of their delayed start and the ongoing complexities of their technical partnership.
Despite being widely considered one of the greatest talents in Formula 1, Newey’s impact on Aston Martin has not yet been seen in full. The team is still working through the challenges of a compressed development cycle and the technical hurdles they inherited. The full potential of his influence will have to wait until the next season, when a new car can be fully optimized.
How the drivers are adapting to the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix
The Malaysian Grand Prix, known for its intense conditions, was reintroduced to the Formula 1 calendar. The tropical climate puts extra physical strain on drivers, similar to the challenges faced at the Singapore Grand Prix, which is also a high-temperature event. Drivers and teams prepare for these races all year by focusing on fitness routines that build endurance in heat and humidity.
One unique challenge posed by the addition of Malaysia is the shift in time zones. Unlike Singapore, which is a night race and allows teams to remain on European time, the Malaysian race is a daytime event. This requires drivers and teams to adjust their schedules from European time to local time after the previous race in Azerbaijan. Then, they must switch back for the Singapore race. These transitions are routine for top athletes who regularly travel across multiple time zones.
The final races and potential calendar changes
The conclusion of the Formula 1 season has faced uncertainty due to geopolitical events. The races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are in doubt because of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. If the situation remains unresolved by mid-September, these races may be canceled. Currently, the most likely alternative is a race in Imola, Italy, scheduled for early December.
While winter in Italy can be cold, F1 president Stefano Domenicali noted that the weather there may not be as harsh as in Las Vegas, where the Grand Prix is held in late November. Las Vegas experiences chilly nighttime temperatures and a track surface that is not very abrasive, both of which can impact race conditions.
The decision on the final race location will be made in mid-September, as teams and officials assess the situation. Until then, Imola remains the best available option. Cold weather in late-season races can lead to lower grip and potentially processional racing. Domenicali and the F1 management are exploring alternatives in warmer locations, such as South Africa, Portugal, or Thailand, to avoid these issues if possible.
