Max Verstappen has highlighted that “time will tell” whether ex-Red Bull design genius Adrian Newey will be a success as Aston Martin’s Team Principal in Formula 1.
Newey will step up into the role of team boss from next season, a role that he’s never previously held, replacing Andy Cowell, who will become Chief Strategy Officer.
There had been speculation that erstwhile Red Bull chief Christian Horner, who worked with Newey up until last year, was in the running to replace Cowell at the helm.
But while former McLaren boss Andreas Seidl was also named as a contender, Aston Martin announced the surprise news this week that Newey will take on the role.
Newey’s experience has seen him being handed the task of leading from the front, as well as overseeing the trackside operations and, of course, the design of the car.
Verstappen admitted that he sees the logic in giving someone with technical nous the position, something that is becoming more commonplace up and down the grid.
“It’s probably something that you see in more teams, right? That someone more technical is taking on the role of team boss,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“And I guess Aston is going the same way. I mean, you have to ask them, of course, why they opted to do it.
“But that’s my, I think, logical explanation behind that. So yeah, I’m happy to see that.
“I don’t know, of course, how much that will change in the involvement of the car for Adrian. But yeah, I’m sure he will do well.”
Verstappen responds to Marko doubt over Newey suitability
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was once quoted as suggesting that Newey was a brilliant designer but not necessarily the ideal person to leadan entire F1 team.
When that comment was put to him, Verstappen expressed that the proof will be in the pudding once he is integrated into the role at the Silverstone-based squad.
“Time will tell, right? I mean, I don’t know,” the Dutchman responded. “I mean, I’ve never spoken to Adrian about it.
“It was never an option at Red Bull, of course, as well. So I don’t know what the ambition was or whatever, but I’m happy for him.
“You know, like he’s in a different team environment now. And of course, I cannot look into the team as well, why or how or the reason why he got promoted.
“I don’t know. But I’m just sitting here and enjoying it. Happy for him. And I hope that the team will benefit from his knowledge at the end of the day.”
READ MORE – Fernando Alonso reacts to Aston Martin appointing Adrian Newey as F1 team boss from 2026
Discussion about this post