F1 designer Adrian Newey signs contract with Aston Martin after leaving Red Bull | Formula 1

Aston Martin has confirmed that Adrian Newey, modern Formula 1's most successful designer, will join the team next season. Newey has signed a long-term deal with the British marque that is estimated to earn him up to £30 million a year. He will also become a shareholder in the team – another bold statement of intent from Aston Martin's billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll.

Newey was officially announced as Aston Martin's new chief technical partner at the team's Silverstone factory on Tuesday morning. The 65-year-old is expected to start working with the team and its drivers, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and Stroll's son Lance, in March next year.

“I am delighted to be joining the Aston Martin team,” he said. “I am very inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that Lawrence brings to everything he is involved in. Lawrence is determined to build a world-beating team.”

The appointment is a major coup for Aston, with Newey's skills considered invaluable in interpreting and exploiting regulations to create exceptionally competitive cars that often have a significant advantage, particularly at the start of a new set of regulations. He will join Aston in time to have a significant influence on the design of their new car for the next major rule change in 2026.

“This is the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport,” said Stroll. “It is further proof of our ambition to build a Formula 1 team capable of fighting for the world championship.”

Newey has rightly built a formidable reputation in Formula 1 and is one of the most sought-after talents in the paddock. Cars he has played a key role in designing have won 12 drivers' and 13 constructors' titles with three different teams – Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. Since first driving for Nigel Mansell and Williams in 1992, he has helped win titles for Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Häkkinen and Sebastian Vettel. Most recently, his design of the new Red Bull has proved outstanding, leaving the rest of the field far behind. This has allowed Verstappen to dominate the last two seasons, taking 19 wins in 22 races last year.