Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell has explained how Adrian Newey’s experience has been crucial in helping Honda reintegrate into Formula 1, as both prepare for their union in 2026.
The Silverstone-based squad is ditching Mercedes as a powertrain provider for next year, and will join up with the Japanese marque, which left F1 at the end of 2021.
Aston and Honda’s alliance coincides with the arrival of Newey, who began work in March, and immediately set about designing the car that Honda will power in the first year of F1’s brand new set of technical regulations.
Naturally, Newey’s involvement will raise confidence within the team as well as expectations of its performance next year, given the design guru’s unmatched track record, and according to Cowell, it appears to be a fantastic match already.
“Yeah, Honda’s going great. They’re an engineering-led organisation, just like Aston Martin,” Cowell told media including Motorsport Week.
“They’re innovative, their sense of passion and commitment and courage is huge. I’m flying to Sakura on Monday, spending a couple of days with them after the race on Sunday.
“It’s an exciting time for the team to take that transition from a customer team, where you have very little say in what goes on at the rear of the car, to having all the debates about what the front of the power unit should look like, how do we do the cooling, how do we integrate with the transmission, how do we pull it all together.
“I guess that’s where Adrian being on board since March is really helpful. He’s got experience working with Honda, so there’s a natural understanding there already as to what can be pushed and what can’t. So yeah, exciting times.”
F1 2026 ‘a big, exciting challenge’ for Aston Martin
Newey has himself described the challenge of interpreting next year’s radical new regulations as “scary,” with F1 priming itself up for a myriad of changes that will alter racing experiences for both the drivers, teams and the fans alike.
Cowell acknowledged the difficulties that Aston, as well as all the other teams, face, but spoke of his excitement at the new era and the task ahead.
“Yeah, it’s a big challenge for all the teams,” he addressed.
“Lots of new technology – power unit, advanced sustainable fuels, aerodynamics, materials development, chassis design, transmissions – it’s the whole car.
“And it’s exciting. It’s an exciting challenge. None of us can move that first test date or the first race date.
“We’re all pushing as hard as we can to innovate and create performance. But we all know that you don’t get any points unless you finish, and we’ve got that eternal balance to make.
“I think it’s going to be exciting racing, exciting testing compared with the last few years where you do a few days.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds, but we’re certainly looking forward to it.”
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