Newey is adamant that he can manage the team leader position.

      "The primary distinction lies in managing media relations."

      Adrian Newey's increasingly prominent role at Aston Martin—first observed in Qatar and now in Abu Dhabi—is being interpreted as a clear indication that he is fully engaging in his new position ahead of the 2026 regulatory changes. After attending only one other race this year, the design icon is now a constant presence and transparent about his motives. The final car designed without Newey’s influence simply did not suffice, and the upcoming era necessitates his direct involvement.

      "This year's vehicle has disappointed everyone—it has been challenging to drive and tough to set up," he shared with DAZN in Abu Dhabi.

      Next year marks a significant change, as Aston will introduce its first chassis entirely designed under Newey's leadership, equipped with Honda's factory power unit and, for the first time in the team's history, an in-house gearbox. The level of integration is so extensive that Newey is stepping in as team principal, taking over from Andy Cowell.

      "Andy, in a generous move, chose to manage that aspect personally," Newey explained. "He recognized that with next year’s complicated power units and the integration involving Honda, Aramco, and ourselves, perfect synchronization was essential. He was worried that some finer points might be overlooked."

      Some individuals in the paddock express concern that leading the team may divert Newey's focus from his technical expertise; however, he disregards this concern.

      "The primary distinction is managing media interactions and a few other aspects, but not much else," he noted.

      Regarding the 2026 initiative, he exudes enthusiasm. "It enables us to collaborate closely on engine integration," he stated. "And for the first time in quite a while, we need to create our own gearbox, meaning we have to establish a completely new department."

      Despite this, Newey asserts that when he departed from Red Bull amid his former team's leadership struggles, he did not originally plan to transition to Aston. "The reality is, when I left Red Bull, I had no clear idea of what would happen next," the 66-year-old reflected. "I’ve immensely enjoyed my career and feel fortunate to have been part of this sport. I believed that if I continued to work, it should be aligned with my passion. That’s precisely what I’ve pursued."

      Aston Martin's other significant asset for 2026 is Fernando Alonso, who claims to have just completed one of the finest personal seasons of his career at the age of 44. "I don’t need to say it—the stopwatch is the ultimate judge," he told Spanish reporters. "It’s one of the worst in terms of results, but personally, it has been one of the best. It's hard to explain, and I don’t want anyone watching from home to comprehend it, because they won’t, and that’s how it should remain. Here in the paddock, this is certainly one of the years I’ve appreciated the most, and I feel the most respected."