Adrian Newey has revealed that he has been dealing with health problems since last season, offering fresh insight into a challenging period both personally and professionally as Aston Martin continues to fight through one of the toughest campaigns in its recent Formula 1 history.
The renowned designer, widely regarded as one of the greatest engineering minds in F1, joined Aston Martin in March 2025 after ending his hugely successful 18-year spell with Red Bull. Later that year, Newey took on the role of team principal, bringing enormous expectations that he could help transform the Silverstone-based outfit into a championship contender.
However, the start of the 2026 season proved far more complicated than anticipated. After attending the opening Australian Grand Prix, Newey was absent from the following four races before returning to the Formula 1 paddock at the Monaco Grand Prix in early June. His absence sparked speculation, but he has now confirmed that ongoing health issues were the reason behind his time away.
Speaking about the situation, Newey explained that he is now feeling much better but admitted the past several months have been particularly demanding. He praised Aston Martin’s staff for their professionalism and support during his recovery, saying the engineering team maintained excellent communication throughout his absence.
According to Newey, the team’s ability to adapt ensured that development work continued smoothly despite the unexpected setback. He credited the engineers and technical staff for remaining focused and united during a period that could easily have disrupted the team’s progress.
His health concerns come at a time when Aston Martin is already enduring a frustrating season on the track. After entering the year with ambitions of challenging Formula 1’s leading teams, the squad has instead struggled with an overweight chassis, aerodynamic shortcomings, and an underperforming Honda power unit that has lacked both speed and reliability.
As a result, Aston Martin has found itself battling near the back of the field for much of the season. The team has managed to score only a single championship point through Fernando Alonso’s performance in Monaco, while regularly fighting alongside Cadillac rather than competing with the sport’s established frontrunners.
The Austrian Grand Prix further highlighted the scale of the challenge. Lance Stroll was forced to retire before the finish, while Alonso crossed the line in 18th position, three laps behind race winner George Russell, underlining just how far Aston Martin currently trails the front-running teams.
Despite the disappointing results, Newey remains optimistic that the organisation can recover. He revealed that once the team accepted the reality of its difficult position, everyone united around two major objectives. The first is delivering a significant performance upgrade before the summer break, while the second focuses on laying stronger technical foundations for future seasons.
Newey also praised the commitment shown by Aston Martin employees, revealing that engineers and mechanics are regularly working late into the night at the AMR Technology Campus. He described the atmosphere as one filled with determination, motivation, and belief that the team’s fortunes can be turned around.
While immediate improvements to the car remain a priority, Newey stressed that Aston Martin is equally focused on strengthening its engineering processes and development systems. He believes creating a more efficient long-term structure will be essential if the team is to return to competing at the front of the Formula 1 grid and realise its championship ambitions in the years ahead.
