Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll believes that his substantial outlay to obtain Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey will transpire to be a “bargain” in the long term.
The Silverstone-based squad has announced that F1’s most decorated-ever individual will be switching to the team in 2025 in a new Managing Technical Partner role.
Ferrari was considered the leading candidate to sign Newey once his Red Bull exit was revealed, but reports stated it wanted to avoid being engaged in a bidding war.
Instead, Newey has signed a long-term contract with Aston Martin on a rumoured £20 million per annum wage packet, which will also see him become a shareholder.
However, Stroll is convinced that the wide-ranging expertise that Newey will bring to head Aston Martin’s technical department will be worth that seismic expenditure.
“I can tell you Adrian is a bargain,” Stroll said. “Certainly, I’ve been in business for over 40 years now, and I’ve never been more certain.
“It’s not an investment. He’s a shareholder and a partner. So it’s the best partner I can bring into a company. We intend to be around here a very long time together.
“So it’s relatively inexpensive for everything Adrian brings in a partnership we will have.”
Newey has divulged that discussions with several teams took place regarding his next venture, but Aston Martin quickly emerged as the evident option in the process.
“I think from my point of view, I was very flattered by the number of teams that did approach me and had discussions with some of those teams, not all of them.
“But in the end, it became a very clear and natural choice for all the reasons I stated earlier in the conference today.”
But while Newey’s final chance to return Ferrari to the top in F1 seems to have dissipated, the Briton has claimed that Aston Martin’s prestige rivals the Italian marque.
“I think arguably next to Ferrari, then Aston Martin is the most iconic brand across the world,” he expressed. “It’s got such a presence and a feel to it.
“So of course that’s special. It also ties actually in quite well, because obviously it’s involved with the Valkyrie project.
“And I have a couple of classic Astons as well, so well familiar with the brand. And the magic that goes with that.”
Aston Martin winning an F1 race will be their first…ever!