Adrian Newey shares health update after 'difficult period'

Adrian Newey has provided an update on his health after briefly stepping away from the day-to-day operations at Aston Martin.

Newey joined the Silverstone-based squad in March last year after completing a period of gardening leave following his departure from Red Bull.

Having taken on the task of designing the team’s 2026 car, the campaign has not unfolded as Aston Martin had hoped, with the squad spending the opening phase of the season towards the back of the field.

Newey, who has only visited the F1 paddock twice this year, revealed that he endured a challenging period last year.

When asked by AstonMartinF1.com about his health, Newey replied: "I'm OK now, but it's been a difficult period. As I said earlier, it never rains but it pours.

"In truth, I was not 100 per cent last year. I had to balance health and work much more carefully.

"The team handled it incredibly well. I kept a very good relationship with the engineers and I don't feel it caused too much of a blip. 

“That's a testament to how adaptable and supportive everyone here is.”

Towards the end of the 2025 season, Newey's role transitioned to that of team principal.

While other teams normally nominate the team principal role to perform media duties and represent the team trackside, Newey has not done so - bar an open and honest press conference in Australia earlier this year.

However, the Briton stated that there is nothing in the regulations that leaves Aston Martin bound to have him trackside.

"'Team Principal' is, in part, a formal requirement – under FIA regulations, you have to nominate someone in that role. It's a job title, not a job description,” he said.

"The way we interpret it is that, when it comes to key strategic decisions, the buck stops with me. 

“That's the heart of the job. Of course, [Executive Chairman] Lawrence is also deeply involved in those big calls too."