P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The F1 teams are gearing up for a significant rule change for the 2026 F1 campaign.
Aston Martin technical director Adrian Newey predicts that the F1 pecking order for next year may see the usual front-runners maintain their position, despite a significant rule change on power unit and chassis regulations.
Newey highlights the potential for one team to gain an advantage due to different interpretations of the rulebook, while also mentioning the possibility for a midfield team to make a leap up the order in 2026.
He draws parallels from the past, citing the 2009 regulation change where top teams such as Ferrari and McLaren faltered, allowing teams like Brawn and Red Bull to rise.
Having joined Aston Martin this year after leaving Red Bull, where he built championship-winning cars for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, Newey acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding how the team is faring for the next season.
Despite his extensive F1 experience with regulation changes, Newey admits that due to the reset, it’s challenging to gauge Aston Martin’s performance relative to the competition, as there’s a lack of information about what others are doing.
