Aston Martin boss Adrian Newey has publicly addressed recent speculation about his health for the first time, as well as a major confirmation about the team’s approach to the 2027 Formula 1 season.
The famed technical figurehead has faced a myriad of challenges this year, with his AMR26 challenger currently at the foot of the grid.
Newey and Aston have striven to remedy the number of issues plaguing the team, including its Honda power unit, with incremental countermeasures constantly being implemented to exact some improvement.
But Newey has not been at every race this season, and after taking charge of the team at the opening race in Melbourne, was not seen until Monaco last month.
Rumours surfaced of health problems which the 67-year-old has not commented on, until now.
“I’m OK now, but it’s been a difficult period. As I said earlier, it never rains but it pours,” he told AstonMartinF1.com.
“In truth, I was not 100 per cent last year. I had to balance health and work much more carefully.
“The team handled it incredibly well. I kept a very good relationship with the engineers and I don’t feel it caused too much of a blip. That’s a testament to how adaptable and supportive everyone here is.”
2027 Aston Martin in ‘early stage’
As part of Newey’s in-depth interview with Aston Martin’s website, there was explanation of how the late development of the AMR26 has affected its on-track performance this year, with the Silverstone-based squad effectively playing catch-up to its rivals on the grid.
Newey explained that major investment has gone into many areas that he felt were holding the team back, and confirmed that the 2027 car is already reaching the forefront of the minds of those at its technology campus.
“Yes, we’re in the early research stages,” he said. “Right now, it’s about the big architectural decisions: where we position the engine in the wheelbase, how we position the chassis, and the fundamental choices that affect very long lead‑time items.
“We’re looking at front and rear suspension concepts, gearbox shape – all the things that heavily influence the aerodynamics.
“A key aim is to release the ’27 car to production much earlier in the process, so we’re not putting everyone under the same pressure we’ve had this year. That should allow us to optimise weight, stiffness and detail far more effectively.”
There is no doubt with Newey leading the line, and a whole host of experienced personnel around him, the team’s mistakes will not be repeated.
With upgrades set for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the team will not have long to wait before its hopeful ascent up the grid begins.
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