Aston Martin has revealed it will ensure it avoids getting engaged in legal disputes regarding talks with Adrian Newey before his arrival at its Formula 1 team in 2025.
The Silverstone-based squad announced last month that Newey, F1’s most decorated designer, will become its Managing Technical Partner once he departs Red Bull.
Newey communicated the desire to bring an end to his Red Bull spell earlier this term, but he will remain on gardening leave at the reigning F1 champions until March.
The Briton, who will oversee Aston Martin’s technical department, is poised to have a vast role in the design of the side’s car for the new technical regulations in 2026.
However, Aston Martin boss Mike Krack has expressed that he is cautious about the extent to which he can speak with Newey as he remains under contract to a rival.
“I don’t know,” he told Autosport. “I need to check with our legal department.
“I think you need to be very careful with these things. You know, we do not want to get into legal [matters] going forward. That would just not feel right.”
Aston Martin will not rest on its laurels
Aston Martin’s progress outside the track has not been replicated on it as the team has regressed this term to lie fifth in the Constructors’ Championship on 86 points.
The British marque has been unable to maintain the momentum that saw it emerge as the surprise closest contender to Red Bull in the nascent events of last season.
But although he has admitted that the Newey acquisition has bolstered spirits during a challenging period, Krack is adamant that Aston Martin can’t rest on its laurels.
Asked how hard it is to balance the excitement around Newey’s impending arrival versus the side’s current problems, Krack replied: “Very hard. Absolutely.
“But I think we should also use ‘25 as an opportunity to show Adrian what we can do. I think that should serve as a motivation for all of us.”
Pressed on whether there was a danger that individuals could become complacent waiting upon Newee, Krack retorted: “If I identify that one, it will not be for long.”
Aston Martin has failed with 2024 ambitions
Krack has acknowledged that Aston Martin has come up short with progress under this ruleset as setbacks with updates have seen it slip into the midfield’s clutches.
“I think we are not where we want to be,” he conceded. “Our target was clearly to close the gap to the top four teams.
“At the beginning of the season, we knew that we were around the fifth fastest at the time, and the target was to close that gap.
“We have not managed that. Others have more caught up than we have closed. So that is the reality and that is something we have to understand and address.”
