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Newey designed 2026 car BEFORE joining Aston Martin
Legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey shared that he began working on Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 car even before officially joining the team. During his 10-month hiatus between leaving Red Bull and starting at Aston Martin, Newey developed the fundamental philosophy for the AMR26 while out of work. This situation mirrors his start at McLaren in the late 90s, where he conceived the 1998 car while on gardening leave from Williams. Newey’s strategic approach during his downtime has historical significance, as seen with the success of McLaren’s 1998 car led by Mika Hakkinen. His innovative thinking during gardening leave showcases his ability to strategize and influence car design, setting the stage for potential success with Aston Martin.
