Wolff wary of 'package to be reckoned with' from surprise F1 rival

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated Aston Martin has created a “package to be reckoned with” after adding Adrian Newey to its arsenal.

Newey will join the Silverstone-based team in March of next year following his exit from Red Bull.

The 65-year-old will fill the position of managing technical partner and link up with former Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell, who currently works as the Group CEO at Aston Martin.

Wolff praised the strong combination Aston Martin has generated as it looks to make steps up the pecking order.

“The track record that Adrian has in F1 speaks for itself,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365. 

“He is the greatest designer in Formula 1 when you look at the stats. 

“If you combine it with someone like Andy Cowell, who is for me, one of the strongest leaders I've ever met in any industry, they can make that work.

“I think it's a package to be reckoned with.”

Wolff backs Aston Martin for F1 success

F1's current pecking order has multiple teams fighting at the front of the grid with four squads winning at least three grands prix this season.

Lando Norris is currently hunting down Max Verstappen for the drivers' championship while McLaren has already overtaken Red Bull in the constructors' standings.

Wolff has backed Aston Martin to join the fight at the front of the field, a situation he states would be “fantastic” for the sport.

“It's good, more teams are competitive in the front,” Wolff said. “You're having four drivers now that race for a driver world championship as it stands.

“McLaren has taken the lead in the constructors’ [championship] - who would have ever thought that like five months ago?

“So if a team like Aston Martin with this great name can be part of the leading group, [that] would be fantastic.”