F1 designer lands eye-watering deal that will see him paid more than 18 drivers and only behind Hamilton and Verstappen

ASTON MARTIN have signed legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey. 

The 65-year-old, who has been with Red Bull for 19 years, has signed a lucrative £20million-a-year contract with Lawrence Stroll’s team that reportedly rises to £30m including add-ons and bonuses.

Newey has won 12 drivers’ and 13 constructors’ championships during a glittering 30-year career in F1, having also worked at Williams and McLaren. 

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining Aston Martin. I have been hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that Lawrence brings to everything he is involved with.

“Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team. He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport.

“His commitment is demonstrated in the development of the new AMR Technology Campus and wind tunnel at Silverstone, which are not only state of the art but have a layout that creates a great environment to work in.

“Together with great partners like Honda and Aramco, they have all the key pieces of infrastructure needed to make Aston Martin a world championship-winning team and I am very much looking forward to helping reach that goal.”

Newey, who announced his departure in May, wanted out from Red Bull following Christian Horner’s sexting scandal, which he has always denied and was cleared for misconduct by the team.

The design guru now no longer takes part in team meetings.

Ferrari were heavily linked with signing Newey, but the British designer has opted to stay in the UK and will begin work on pushing Aston Martin towards a world championship.

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Stroll said: “This is huge news. Adrian is the best in the world at what he does – he is at the top of his game – and I am incredibly proud that he is joining the team. 

“It’s the biggest story since the Aston Martin name returned to the sport and another demonstration of our ambition to build a Formula One team capable of fighting for world championships.

“As soon as Adrian became available, we knew we had to make it happen.

“Our initial conversations confirmed that there was a shared desire to collaborate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Adrian is a racer and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. 

“Adrian shares our hunger and ambition, he believes in this project, and he will help us write the next chapter in Aston Martin’s story.”

He will start working in his role of Managing Technical Partner from 1 March 2025.

Newey’s deal with the sporting wing of the former James Bond car makers will see him land £150m including bonuses and add-ons over five years, according to the BBC.

Following intense speculation – including a leak spotted by fans on Sky Sports TV guide – the deal to take Newey to the team for the 2025 season was announced on Tuesday morning.

Newey’s proficiency for aerodynamics, particularly at the start of new regulations, means the team could be propelled towards the top of the grid from their current standings of fifth in the 2026 season – when the new era of engine regs come into play.

His bumper contract means Newey will be earning more than 18 drivers on the F1 grid, including the team’s star driver and two-time title winner Fernando Alonso.

Only reigning world champion Max Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will be earning more than Newey.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk