Adrian Newey has high praise for Max Verstappen, who, according to the top designer, possesses a rare combination of talent and mental resilience. “Max is absolutely outstanding now. His maturity is astonishing,” Newey said about the reigning world champion.
Since this season, Newey is no longer a direct colleague of Verstappen, but he remains deeply impressed by the Dutchman. “He didn’t have an easy childhood, which I think is no secret, but his maturity is astonishing,” Newey said in the James Allen on F1 podcast. The British engineer is referring to Verstappen’s strict upbringing.
What particularly stands out to Newey is Verstappen’s ability to perform under pressure. “What’s impressive is how he handles pressure, how he takes it on… whatever happens in his life, as soon as he puts on his helmet and gets in the car, all distractions disappear and he can fully focus on racing. That’s extraordinarily impressive for an athlete,” said the top designer.
Looking to the Future
While Verstappen shines on the grid, Newey is also looking ahead. According to Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, Newey is ‘in a sort of trance’ working on the 2026 car. The British team is preparing for the new regulations and will then become a full factory team with Honda engines. Aston Martin is making significant investments in infrastructure: a new factory and wind tunnel are expected to propel the team to the top of Formula 1. With Newey’s impressive track record – 26 world championships, including 14 driver titles and 12 constructor titles – the racing team is counting on a period of success.
