Ex-Formula 1 driver and World Champion Jenson Button admits being “jealous” over Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for getting the chance to drive an Adrian Newey-designed car at Aston Martin.
Button has been reunited with his McLaren team-mate Alonso at the Silverstone-based team after being signed up as its Ambassador, earlier this year.
The Briton won the 2009 drivers’ title driving for Brawn GP [now Mercedes], moving onto the Woking-based team where he finished his career after a one-off appearance at the 2017 Monaco GP.
But throughout his career, the chance of driving a Newey-designed F1 car always alluded him. The same was said of Alonso before Newey was signed up by Lawrence Stroll as the team’s Managing Technical Partner ahead of the 2026 season.
Naturally, looking at Alonso and Stroll get that opportunity at Aston Martin has made Buttton admit that he does feel “jealous” of his former partner-in-crime.
“I’d love to drive one of these new-generation cars, especially one designed by Adrian Newey,” he said in his column for the British marque.
““I’ve raced against a lot of his cars over the years and always wondered what it would be like to work with him.
“I guess you could say I’m a little bit jealous of Lance and Fernando in this respect.”
Given a chance, Button would still accept a chance to jump into one of Newey’s cars in a heartbeat.
“I really would jump at the chance to drive one of Adrian’s cars,” he added.
“A demo run perhaps? But 24 races in a season… I’m too old for that!”
Button opens up on ‘fascinating’ Adrian Newey insights
The Briton has also had an exceptionally unfiltered view of the how the legendary designer goes about his work.
Speaking about his time observing the “master”, Button explained how Newey sets himself apart from the rest of the competition.
“Seeing Adrian operate up close is fascinating,” he continued. “He’s very old school – notebook in hand, sketching ideas on a drawing board – but that’s part of what makes him such a master. He really is.
“And yes, I may have tried to sneak a peek at his notebook… he noticed.”
Aston Martin does find itself in doldrums as it hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts in 2026. That said, if history is anything to go by, Adrian Newey is the man that brings with him championship success wherever he goes.
READ MORE – Lance Stroll sends message of hope for Aston Martin despite ‘frustrating’ F1 start
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