Aston Martin doubles Newey's workload with Team Principal job

Grand Prix and Le Mans winner-turned-pundit Johnny Herbert said the unexpected move speaks volumes about where Aston Martin believes its future direction must come from while questioning the extra workload thrust on Formula 1's most succesful designer.

Herbert was reacting to the announcement covered in the original report, which detailed how Aston Martin will split leadership responsibilities from 2026, with Andy Cowell moving to Chief Strategy Officer while Newey takes full control of technical and trackside operations.

Herbert said the internal dynamic at the Silverstone outfit is already clear: “It is very interesting where Adrian is obviously pushing very hard from within to make sure he gets what he needs to be able to produce a race-winning Aston Martin.”

The British motorsport veteran added that the next question is whether Newey can deliver in a leadership role as well as he did as a designer: “We are going to have to see if Adrian is able to achieve that once again. It is how you have the right fit to be able to have the right person in the right place.”

Herbert pointed to the earlier expectation that Christian Horner might join Aston Martin, a link that grew stronger after Newey’s Red Bull exit: “Before the announcement, it seemed an obvious fit for Horner to go there given what Christian has achieved in the past with Adrian on board.

"It seemed the perfect fit but only if Adrian wanted it, and the whole team felt that that was the right thing for them to do.”

Herbert believes the dynamic between Newey and Horner played a major part in the final outcome: “There did seem to be some friction between the two when Adrian departed Red Bull. Making Adrian Team Principal is a very interesting move from Aston Martin."

He also suggested the decision hints at a deliberate distancing from Horner at a time when multiple teams were rumoured to be assessing him for 2026 roles.

Herbert said: "Adrian's appointment has come out of the blue. With all the rumours regarding Christian joining, this seems an easy way of saying, we do not need or want you. You now get a feeling that the fallout from the Red Bull saga has put teams off hiring him.”

Herbert warned that the change will place a significant burden on Newey at a critical moment in the 2026 cycle: “This doubles Adrian’s workload as he joined the team for his design expertise and now has a very time-consuming job as Team Principal as well,” he said.

Aston Martin’s move resets the leadership landscape heading into the regulation overhaul, and Newey’s dual role will be one of the most scrutinised storylines of the 2026 season as the team attempts to convert its technical investment into sustained competitiveness.

More reaction from across the paddock is expected as Aston Martin prepares for the next phase of its project.