Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has questioned Adrian Newey’s influence, suggesting his ‘magic touch’ is less evident in Aston Martin’s 2026 challenger. Herbert’s comments specifically target the performance of the Aston Martin AMR26 during the current season.
Herbert’s analysis points to a potential ‘demise’ or ‘downward spiral’ for Newey, given Aston Martin’s struggles. He noted the team’s car development has not yielded the expected results despite Newey’s leadership.
Adrian Newey assumed the role of Team Principal at Aston Martin from the start of the 2026 season. He initially joined the Silverstone-based squad as Managing Technical Partner in March 2025.
The Aston Martin AMR26 has experienced a challenging first half of the 2026 season. It has been described as ‘fundamentally uncompetitive’ and among the ‘worst Formula 1 cars of 2026.’
Initial struggles included chassis and power unit issues, notably chronic vibrations. These problems significantly affected the car’s mileage during early season testing and races.
However, a heavily revised AMR26B was introduced at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix. This upgrade package, featuring 16 developments, delivered a ‘massive step forward’ and halved the car’s pace deficit.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing’s 2026 car, the RB22, has shown inconsistent performance this season. The team’s own technical director indicated it was ‘fourth-fastest at best’ early in the campaign.
Red Bull Racing is reportedly scaling back major update packages for the RB22 in the latter half of 2026. This strategic decision shifts development focus towards the 2027 regulations.
This shift is influenced by the current performance gap to Mercedes and the significant regulation changes anticipated for the 2027 season. Max Verstappen has publicly acknowledged the RB22’s challenges.
Verstappen noted that the team is actively working to address fundamental balance issues with the car. Red Bull Racing is currently not expected to close the gap to Mercedes in the second half of 2026.
Mercedes has demonstrated strong form throughout the 2026 season, establishing themselves as championship leaders. Kimi Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings for the team.
Isack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen, is having a notable debut season in 2026. The young Frenchman has shown consistent progress and secured several points finishes.
Juan Pablo Montoya recently criticized George Russell’s performance in certain 2026 races. Montoya suggested Russell has not consistently maximized the Mercedes car’s potential.
Montoya’s comments focused on Russell’s race management and occasional errors, despite Mercedes’ overall strong performance. Russell has also expressed a personal view on enjoying his life as a Formula 1 driver more.
The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, scheduled for next weekend, is anticipated to be a significant event. It will be the final edition as it will not feature on the 2027 calendar.
Max Verstappen will use a special helmet design for his home race. He stated he will enjoy the event but will not approach the Zandvoort weekend with additional motivation for driving.
