Aston Martin should exercise caution if it thinks the incoming Adrian Newey will propel the team to the front of the grid, according to ex-Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson.
The technical guru will join the Silverstone-based squad in March after a period of gardening leaving from his previous role as Chief Technical Officer at Red Bull, taking on the position of Managing Technical Partner.
Newey’s task will be a challenging one, as Aston Martin slipped backwards in terms of form during the 2024 season, with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll amassing 94 points between them, a significant drop from its 2023 total of 280.
Speaking to Sky F1, for whom he is an analyst, Davidson cooled any suggestion that Newey’s experience and previous success in F1 would be the definitive answer to all of the team’s problems.
“I think it takes more than just Adrian Newey really does,” he said.
“Well, you look at some drivers in top teams along through the seasons, the cars Adrian Newey and great engineers and designers have made wouldn’t have won World Championships if it wasn’t for the ultimate driver there to keep it sailing along.
“So that proves that it is a combination of not just driver and engineers, but the whole team is a team sport.
“And again, Adrian Newey would be nowhere if the pit stop crew was pathetic and kept dropping wheels and the wheel guns going flying.”
Davidson’s belief was seconded by Sky’s lead commentator, David Croft, who indicated that an improvement in the team’s harmony would be key to remedying its on-track performances.
“We can take the point, Ant,” he said.
“Aero is important, but if your vehicle dynamics aren’t any good, the chassis is not any good, you can bolt whatever you want on there, it’s still not going to work.
“I think the problem with Aston Martin is, I think there’s been a disconnect between various departments at Silverstone, and there’s not a cohesion working across all of the engineering departments and that’s kind of what needs putting right.”
Newey ‘inspired’ to take Aston Martin role
Acclaimed as one of the best innovators and designers in F1 history, Newey’s initial successes in F1 came with the March team in the late 80s, before joining Williams, with whom he would help to five Constructors’ Championships and four Drivers’ Championships respectively between 1992 and 1997.
The latter year was when he would ultimately leave Williams and join McLaren, and continue his rich vein of glory with one Constructors’ Crown in 1998, with two Drivers’ titles.
Seeking a fresh challenge, Newey joined Red Bull upon its takeover of the Jaguar Racing team – who Newey almost joined in 2001 – from Ford.
The move signalled Newey’s greatest spell at any team, having won six Constructors’ titles and eight Drivers’, affirming Newey’s status as one of the all-time technical greats of F1.
After announcing his exit from the team last May, Newey’s future had been the subject of much speculation, with several teams allegedly clamouring for his services, including Ferrari.
But it would ultimately be Laurence Stroll’s team that won the battle, making him a shareholder in Aston Martin in conjunction with his technical duty.
When the move was made official in September, Newey said: “I have been hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that Lawrence brings to everything he is involved with. Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team. He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport.”
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