Adrian Newey makes prediction over 2026 F1 pecking order

Aston Martin technical director Adrian Newey has offered a prediction on how the F1 pecking order may shape up next year.

A significant rule change is set to come into play with major alterations being made to both the power unit and chassis regulations.

With so many different interpretations of the rulebook in play, it creates the potential for one team to build an advantage over the rest of the pack.

While a midfield team may have an opportunity to make a leap up the order, Newey is expecting the usual front-runners to maintain their position in 2026.

“It's difficult to judge because of this big regulation change, everybody has a bit of a reset,” Newey told the James Allen on F1 podcast. 

“Chances are that the top teams this year will be the top teams next year. 

“But occasionally there's a bit of disruption. It happened last time there was a big regulation change in 2009, when Ferrari and McLaren, who are the big ones in 2008, floundered.

“Brawn and Red Bull came forward. So it does happen, but by and large, the same teams kind of teams tend to keep on at the top.”

Newey linked up with Aston Martin in March earlier this year following his departure from Red Bull, where he worked for 20 years and built title-winning cars for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Despite his vast F1 experience with major regulation changes, Newey admitted he has no knowledge as to how Aston Martin is shaping up for next year.

“You ask, how's it going? The honest truth is, I have got no idea. 

“Because of this reset, you don't know whether you're doing good, bad or indifferent relative to the opposition, you have no knowledge of what they're doing.”