Aston Martin wield axe as Adrian Newey feedback leads to seven exits from F1 design team

Several staff members from the design department of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team have been removed from their roles. It is understood that the restructure taking place ahead of the 2026 season comes after feedback from legendary designer Adrian Newey, who started work at the team in March this year after his high-profile exit from Red Bull.

As managing technical director, Newey has overall responsibility for Aston Martin's design efforts alongside Enrico Cardile, who only started work as chief technical officer this summer after a battle with Ferrari over the length of his gardening leave after handing in his notice at Maranello.

Feedback from the two of them, as well as cost cap considerations, is understood to be a significant factor in Aston's staff reshuffle. It is reported that aerodynamics director Eric Blandin, who joined from Mercedes three years ago, is among at least seven staff members from the design department who have been removed from their roles.

It is common for teams to make staffing changes at this time of year, in preparation for a new season. But an Aston Martin spokesperson told Express Sport: "We don't comment on internal staff matters and we don't have anything to announce."

As it stands, none of those who have been removed from their roles are believed to have left the business altogether. It is understood all of those who have left the F1 team's operations are in discussions with the parent company over taking up other roles witin the wider Aston Martin group.

Since starting work in March, Newey has been evaluating the team's processes and has been offering feedback on how he feels the team's efficiency and performance can be improved. One such complaint earlier this year was about the simulation tools at Aston Martin's disposal, which led to his former Red Bull colleague Giles Wood being hired as simulation and vehicle modelling director.

In a video released recently by Aston Martin, ambitious owner Lawrence Stroll said the addition of Newey has been "monumental" to the team. And he also made clear his belief that having the right mix of people in place is the most important pillar of their plan to challenge for race wins and titles in the coming years.

The Canadian added: "I don't know how to build or engineer a Formula 1 car as well as the engineers do, so I give them support, give them the tools, give them the people, the finances, give them everything they need in order to not have any roadblocks. First was putting together the facilities. Most important was putting together the team of people."