Adrian Newey set to return to F1 paddock at Monaco GP after lengthy absence

Adrian Newey is set to return to the Formula 1 paddock at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, his first appearance since the 2026 season opener in Melbourne, where he made his debut as Aston Martin team principal. The 66-year-old designer has been absent from all subsequent rounds amid widespread paddock rumours of a stress-related illness, with the Daily Mail reporting he had been hospitalised with pneumonia. Aston Martin declined to comment on the reports, stating only that the team does not discuss personal matters relating to its members.

Chief trackside officer Mike Krack confirmed Newey’s expected arrival during his pre-weekend media briefing. “I think we’ll see him this weekend,” Krack said. “So it’s good, because he has a lot of experience here. Many race wins here, so I think there is certainly one or the other advice that we can get that will bring us forward. So we’re looking forward to that.”

Newey joined Aston Martin last year as managing technical partner — a role that came with an equity stake in the organisation — before taking on the additional title of team principal. The team had already indicated at the start of the season that he would not attend every race, with Krack continuing to handle the majority of trackside duties in his absence.

Since his appearance at the Australian GP, during which he made several pointed revelations about the development status of Aston Martin’s Honda power unit, Newey is understood to have remained at the factory focusing on resolving issues with the troubled AMR26. No major technical upgrades are expected in Monaco, with the team having pushed a significant development package back to the summer.

Newey’s sporadic attendance is consistent with the pattern he established after handing in his notice at Red Bull. Monaco was one of the few rounds he attended in person last year as well, and the venue’s proximity to Nice airport — which offers a dedicated private aviation terminal and direct helicopter transfers — makes it one of the more accessible events on the calendar.

Separately, rumours persist that Jonathan Wheatley, the long-serving Red Bull sporting director who briefly joined Audi as team principal before departing ahead of the Japanese GP, is being considered for a senior role at Aston Martin.