In a candid moment during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey described some of the team’s technical tools as “weak,” sparking discussions about the Silverstone-based squad’s readiness for Formula 1’s competitive landscape. Newey, who joined Aston Martin in March 2025 after a storied tenure at Red Bull, specifically pointed to the team’s driver-in-the-loop simulator, noting its lack of correlation with real-world performance as a significant hurdle. He suggested that addressing these issues could take up to two years, potentially delaying Aston Martin’s championship ambitions. However, Team Principal Andy Cowell has responded with a measured rebuttal, downplaying the timeline and framing the challenges as a natural part of integrating new equipment.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in Monaco, Cowell acknowledged Newey’s concerns but emphasized that such correlation issues are common across the sport, even among top teams. He explained that commissioning new tools, like Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art simulator and wind tunnel, requires a period of fine-tuning to align data with on-track results. Cowell expressed confidence that the team would resolve these issues in months, not years, as Newey had estimated. He highlighted the ongoing process of validating the simulator by comparing its data with track performance, a practice he described as standard for teams introducing new technology. This approach, he argued, allows Aston Martin to use the simulator cautiously for setup changes while building confidence in its capabilities.
Newey’s comments came during his first race weekend appearance with Aston Martin, where he donned the team’s green livery in Monte Carlo. His focus since joining has been on the 2026 car, designed under new chassis and engine regulations, with Aston Martin transitioning to a works Honda power unit. Newey’s assessment of the team’s tools, particularly the simulator, underscored the challenges of adapting to a rapidly expanding operation. Under billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious vision, Aston Martin has invested heavily in infrastructure, including a new factory and wind tunnel. Yet, Newey’s observation that the simulator “needs a lot of work” highlighted a gap between the team’s resources and their current effectiveness, a point that raised eyebrows given Stroll’s championship aspirations.
Cowell, who assumed the role of Team Principal in January 2025 after serving as Group CEO, praised Newey’s contribution to the team. He described the legendary designer as a benchmark-setter, whose expertise helps refine Aston Martin’s development priorities. Cowell noted that Newey’s insights align with ongoing efforts to improve the team’s tools, adding that his presence accelerates progress by clarifying the “jobs list.” Despite Newey’s two-year projection, Cowell remained optimistic, emphasizing that the team’s focus on 2026, combined with Newey’s experience and the incoming Honda partnership, positions Aston Martin for a significant leap forward. He also highlighted the team’s growing independence, with plans to manufacture their own gearbox for the first time, moving away from their historical reliance on Mercedes components.