Adrian Newey Leads Aston Martin Team Principal Search as Max Verstappen Endures Red Bull ‘Horror Show’

Adrian Newey begins the hunt for a new Aston Martin boss while Toto Wolff slams the "horrendous" Red Bull RB22. Get the latest 2026 F1 paddock updates.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Leadership Transition at Aston Martin

Adrian Newey is currently spearheading the search for a new Team Principal at Aston Martin, signaling a planned shift in his responsibilities within the Silverstone-based squad. Having assumed the leadership role late in 2025, Newey had previously indicated that his tenure as team boss was intended to be a temporary measure. Insiders suggest that Newey is looking to return his primary focus to his duties as a managing technical partner, and several high-profile figures from across the paddock have already been linked to the vacancy.

Ferrari to Maximize the April Calendar Gap

Following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, Ferrari is preparing to utilize the unexpected April hiatus for a strategic filming day. This session will allow the Scuderia to run the SF-26 for 200km, doubling the distance permitted during their initial February shakedown at Fiorano. The team intends to use this private test to gather critical data and refine the car’s balance before the championship resumes, a move that could prove pivotal in their attempt to close the performance gap to Mercedes.

Verstappen Trapped in a Technical Crisis

The 2026 season has started in disastrous fashion for Max Verstappen, with Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff describing the driver’s current situation as a "horror show." After reviewing onboard footage from the Chinese Grand Prix, Wolff noted that the Red Bull RB22 appears horrendous to drive, exhibiting handling characteristics that make it nearly impossible to compete at the front. Verstappen’s recent retirement in Shanghai due to a cooling system failure has only exacerbated the sense of crisis surrounding the Milton Keynes team.