Source: REUTERS/JAKUB PORZYCKI
[Saba Sports News] A shocking scene unfolded at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix – newly joined Aston Martin designer Adrian Newey, holder of 26 World Championship titles, was spotted crawling on the pit lane examining the bottom structure of the McLaren MCL39 car in close detail. This legendary technical master was showcasing his ‘killer instinct’ to his old employer and current employer in the most primitive way possible. At the time, Newey held his iconic notebook before the qualifying session, meticulously observing Oscar Piastri’s car for 15 minutes. He even knelt down to professionally document details about the McLaren’s rear wheel aerodynamic components. Subsequently, Newey met with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in the pits for a 20-minute discussion. This spectacle immediately shook the paddock. After all, Newey joined Aston Martin in March as both a management technical partner and shareholder, responsible for leading the development of the car under the 2026 regulations. This season, the McLaren MCL39 has dominated with 6 wins in 8 races, making it a target for many. Despite an exhaustive “autopsy-style” inspection by the FIA in Miami confirming its compliance, multiple teams including Red Bull and Ferrari still question its legality. Newey’s actions were interpreted as the prelude to an Aston Martin technological counterattack, given that he successfully reverse-engineered the DAS steering system mystery by studying the Mercedes W11 during his time at Red Bull.