Jenson Button Admits ‘Envy’ of Alonso and Stroll Over Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin AMR26 Masterpiece

Jenson Button admits envy toward Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for racing Adrian Newey's latest car. Read about his new role at Aston Martin.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 22, 2026, 10:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Lure of the Newey Design

Jenson Button’s transition into a multi-year ambassadorial role at Aston Martin has provided him with a front-row seat to the technical brilliance of Adrian Newey. In his debut column for the team’s website, Button admitted that despite a storied career racing against Newey’s championship-winning machines at Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, he harbors a lingering regret over never having driven one. The Briton described a sense of "envy" toward Alonso and Stroll, who are currently tasking the AMR26 through its initial paces. Button noted that the chance to work with a designer of Newey’s caliber remains a bucket-list item, even after his formal retirement from professional motorsport in 2025.

Observing the Master at Work

Since joining the Silverstone-based squad in February, Button has been captivated by Newey’s unconventional approach to modern Formula 1 engineering. He described Newey as "very old school," frequently seen with a notebook in hand and sketching ideas manually on a drawing board rather than relying solely on digital interfaces. Button jokingly admitted to attempting a "sneak peek" at the legendary designer’s notes, only to be caught in the act. This hands-on craftsmanship is what Button believes sets Newey apart as a master of the craft, even as the sport moves into an increasingly automated technological era.

A Hint at a Track Return

While the 46-year-old was quick to dismiss any suggestion of a full-time racing comeback, citing the exhaustion of a 24-race season, he dropped a significant hint regarding a potential guest appearance. Button expressed a keen interest in a "demo run" or a filming day outing behind the wheel of the AMR26. Such an appearance would allow the 2009 champion to finally experience the aerodynamic characteristics that have defined Newey’s career. Given his new commercial and media responsibilities with Lawrence Stroll’s outfit, a promotional track run for the veteran driver appears increasingly plausible.