Adrian Newey reveals design error on F1…read more
Adrian Newey, the legendary Formula 1 designer, has recently shared an early memory from his childhood that shaped his passion for motorsport and car design. Despite becoming one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of F1, with 13 world titles for Red Bull under his belt, Newey admitted that the path to his career in racing wasn’t immediately clear.
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Newey reflected on his early exposure to motorsport. He mentioned that while he couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when his fascination with car design began, there were a few key influences. At the age of six or seven, Newey had a Scalextric set, and his father also introduced him to cars by taking him around in his Lotus Elan and Mini Cooper S. These early experiences sparked his interest, but it wasn’t until his ninth birthday that his passion truly started to take shape.
On his birthday, Newey was given a 1967 Honda V12 model kit. He recalled how he eagerly tried to assemble the kit but encountered a significant error. While putting it together, he mistakenly placed the rear wheel upside down, causing the model to sit at an odd angle, resembling a dragster. Despite his initial frustration, Newey acknowledged that he was too young to fully understand the intricacies of model building at the time. However, the following year, his parents gave him a model of the Lotus 49, a car that left a lasting impression on him and helped solidify his desire to pursue a career in motorsport.
Now, at 66 years old, Newey has made a significant career shift. After spending 19 years with Red Bull, he shocked the motorsport world by announcing that he would leave the team and join Aston Martin for the 2025 season. His goal with Aston Martin is to help elevate the struggling team and turn them into championship contenders over the next few years. Newey is already working intensely on the car’s design, focusing on the new regulations set to come into play in 2026.
Aston Martin has faced a tough start to the 2025 season, with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso enduring back-to-back retirements in Australia and China. His teammate, Lance Stroll, has managed to secure just 10 points so far. Newey’s aim is to use his expertise to improve the team’s performance, ensuring that their car is ready to meet the challenges posed by the new rules. His move to Aston Martin will mark the next chapter in a remarkable F1 career, and fans will be watching closely to see how his design genius can help transform the team’s fortunes.
