Aston Martin is eagerly anticipating the arrival of legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey in 2025 as part of its ambitious plans to bounce back from a disappointing season.
Pedro de la Rosa, a team ambassador and former Formula 1 driver, believes Newey's expertise will play a crucial role in correcting mistakes made with the current car's design and improving the team's performance for 2025.
"That's what we're here for," de la Rosa told DAZN. "To change the future a little, to improve with the 2025 car, to fix many of the mistakes that have been made in the design of this car.
"Above all, we are looking forward to the addition of Enrico Cardile and Adrian Newey," he added.
Newey, known for his unrivaled success in Formula 1 design, will not join Aston Martin until March, just as the 2025 season begins. De la Rosa acknowledged that Newey's influence may take time to materialize but remains optimistic about the team's long-term prospects.
"In March, we are practically already into the first race of the season," he explained. "But apart from these two great signings, we have a great team of engineers who now also have access to the best possible tools."
Those tools include a state-of-the-art simulator and Aston Martin's own wind tunnel, which will replace the shared use of Mercedes' facility.
"We are not going to share or rent Mercedes' wind tunnel anymore; we are going to have our own," de la Rosa said. "These are very important factors in providing our team with the best possible tools.
"We have been testing in the wind tunnel since January. Then Enrico Cardile arrives, then Adrian Newey arrives. I think it will be three or four months after that before we start to reap the rewards, but it is a very long year."
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, acknowledged the significant challenges Aston Martin faces before it can challenge for titles.
"I take this opportunity to congratulate Max and I hope I can be in that position soon," Alonso said after Verstappen clinched his fourth title in Las Vegas. "Probably not in 2025, but with the change in regulations for 2026, I hope there is a window of opportunity for more drivers—and I hope Aston Martin is among them."
De la Rosa echoed this cautious optimism, pointing out that while Aston Martin started 2023 strongly, the team has struggled to maintain its competitiveness.
"This year we started fighting with Mercedes, and now in Las Vegas, George Russell is on pole and wins," he said. "It is not how it starts, but how it ends."
