Newey arrives with a wealth of experience from his time at Red Bull, where he played a pivotal role in securing six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships. But what exactly can he change at Aston Martin, and how will his influence shape the team’s future?

Since Newey’s move was announced in September 2024, Aston Martin has undergone a significant internal restructuring. Former Technical Director Dan Fallows, who previously worked with Newey at Red Bull, has been reassigned within the Aston Martin Group, opening the door for a new leadership duo, consisting of Enrico Cardile, who arrives from Ferrari, and Newey himself.

Newey takes on the role of Managing Technical Partner and also becomes a co-shareholder of the team, reflecting his long-term commitment. Meanwhile, Cardile has been appointed Chief Technical Officer and will oversee the design and development of Aston Martin’s future cars. This dual-leadership model mirrors Newey’s previous setup at Red Bull, where he worked alongside Technical Director Pierre Wache.

At Red Bull, Newey focused on broader design concepts, offering strategic insights rather than being involved in daily operations. If this approach is replicated at Aston Martin, it could provide the team with much-needed innovation and direction.

However, it’s still unclear when Cardile will actually start, as neither Ferrari nor Aston Martin have confirmed his release date. This means Newey’s first few weeks might be a little uncertain in terms of how the technical leadership is organised.

The real question is what Newey can bring to Aston Martin’s performance. He’s joining too late to have a major impact on the 2025 car, but he will help fine-tune it during the season. His biggest influence will likely be on the 2026 car, when Formula 1 introduces new regulations. Aston Martin sees this as a golden opportunity to catch up with the top teams, especially with Honda coming in as their engine supplier.

Newey’s skill in designing winning cars will be crucial in making sure Aston Martin takes full advantage of this fresh start. According to Team Principal and CEO Andy Cowell, the team is already focused on 2026, with engineers working on that project rather than trying to juggle both the 2025 and 2026 cars.

With so much change happening, it’s clear that Aston Martin is playing the long game. Newey’s experience and vision could be exactly what they need to take the next big step. Now, it’s just a question of how quickly he can make a difference.