Newey SPY details emerge on F1 rivals

Adrian Newey has opened up on the methods he uses to snoop on his Formula 1 rivals on the grid in a recent interview.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the design legend will move to a F1 competitor after he announced his exit from Red Bull in 2024.

F1 HEADLINES: Major Hamilton ERROR revealed as champion caught in FIA crossfire

READ MORE: F1 team confirm shock RETURN

Following a period of gardening leave, Newey will join Aston Martin in March as their managing technical partner, in a bid to launch them into the championship fight for 2026.

The 66-year-old has designed championship winning cars for iconic names on the F1 grid over the course of his career, including Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams FW14B, Mika Hakkinen’s 1998 McLaren MP4/13 and of course Max Verstappen’s dominant Red Bull RB19.

To celebrate Verstappen's 2024 championship success, click here to shop the 'UNSTOPPABLE' F1 world champion hoodie that features a chequered flag graphic and orange detailing in the shade of the Dutchman's home colours.

Will Newey bring intel from Red Bull to Aston Martin?

When an employee leaves a F1 team they usually embark on a period of gardening leave before they are contractually free to join a rival team, which stops personnel from delivering key intel to their competitors.

Newey’s period of leave ensured his absence for the majority of the 2024 season, with the designer missing from his usual spot on the grid, notebook in hand assessing his competitors' cars.

When asked in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport if he uses this time to spy on his F1 rivals, Newey confirmed the extent of his open 'espionage' on the grid.

READ MORE: Ferrari unveil NEW 2025 car ahead of Hamilton debut

“It's normally to try to look at what other people are up to,” Newey said.

“Occasionally I will then take that back to the guys at the factory and say look this could be worth copying, let's try it on our car and see if we can see what they're at.

“Other times I'm using it more to sort of 'ok well they've gone down this direction, what were they trying to achieve?' Then it's the sort of target of what somebody might be trying to achieve rather than the specific detail of how they've achieved it which interests me.”

READ MORE: Horner issues statement as Red Bull partnership comes to an end

Related

Adrian Newey

Adrian Newey to finalise new deal when back from ‘little holiday’

• February 14, 2025 10:59

Ferrari

Huge Newey to Ferrari verdict issued after Hamilton move

• February 9, 2025 08:58