The 2026 Formula 1 season has brought new doubts about the leadership at Aston Martin. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner questioned the decision to promote Adrian Newey as team principal at the British team, suggesting that the role does not leverage his main qualities.
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Recognized as one of the greatest designers in Formula 1 history, Newey built his reputation with titles won in different eras and regulations. His departure from Red Bull Racing to Aston Martin generated much expectation that success would follow the engineer, but the start of the 2026 season has been marked by several difficulties.
The team has faced significant problems, including difficulties finishing races and a series of technical challenges. Among them are complications related to the Honda engine, which has been causing potentially harmful vibrations to the drivers, further worsening the team’s performance.
During the preseason, Newey was promoted to the position of team principal, a decision that surprised many, considering that his hiring was mainly motivated by his experience as a designer. Steiner, former Haas executive, criticized the choice and stated that the role may not be the most suitable for the Briton.
“I think if you asked Adrian, he would say: ‘I don’t know why I did this or why I accepted this’,” Steiner said during an appearance on the Drive to Wynn podcast. The former executive also highlighted that he is not sure if the decision came from the team or from Newey himself.
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Steiner also emphasized that the engineer’s strength lies in car development: “He is very good at what he does, which is designing cars, obviously not Aston Martin’s at the moment, but he will fix that,” he said, adding that promoting professionals beyond their main skills may not be the best strategy.
After only three races in the current season, reports have emerged that Aston Martin is considering appointing Jonathan Wheatley, former Audi chief, as team principal. The change would allow Newey to return to the technical department, where his experience could contribute more directly to the car’s development.
With a long championship ahead, the Silverstone-based team is seeking quick solutions to improve its performance. The possibility of putting Newey back in technical development is seen as a logical move to try to regain competitiveness throughout the season.
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