Throughout his long and illustrious Formula 1 career as one of the sport’s most successful designers, Adrian Newey has worked with some of the greatest champions in history. The genius of aerodynamics has contributed to a staggering total of 26 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships across three legendary teams — Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull — and now prepares for a new chapter with Aston Martin. Having collaborated with so many world-class drivers, Newey recently revealed the two he considers truly exceptional: Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen.
Always among the greats
Adrian Newey’s career has been synonymous with success. From designing dominant Williams cars in the early 1990s to creating Red Bull’s modern era of supremacy, his engineering brilliance has shaped the sport across multiple generations. Being part of Formula 1’s elite teams during the 1990s and 2000s gave him the unique opportunity to work with some of the most talented and iconic drivers of all time. In a recent interview, Newey opened up about what made certain drivers stand out — beginning with his memories of Ayrton Senna.
The memory of ‘Magic’
Speaking on the podcast James Allen On F1, Newey was asked to name the strongest and most talented drivers he has ever worked with. His first thoughts went immediately to Ayrton Senna, who tragically passed away at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, the same year he had joined Williams. “Unfortunately, our relationship with Ayrton was very short,” Newey recalled. “What struck me deeply when I was at Williams was the first time Ayrton came to the factory at the end of ’93. Frank Williams and Patrick Head gave me the privilege of showing him around. When we arrived at the wind tunnel, Ayrton immediately got down on his hands and knees, looking closely at the rear end, at the suspension. He noticed they were a bit different from anything that had been done before. He started asking questions — why we had done this, why we had done that, what the purpose of certain elements was, and so on. I had to be very sharp to answer all his questions. So, without a doubt, Ayrton was exceptional.”
Newey’s recollection highlights the Brazilian legend’s relentless curiosity and technical insight — qualities that set him apart from his peers. Senna wasn’t just a driver who relied on natural talent; he was deeply engaged in the mechanical and aerodynamic aspects of the car, eager to understand every detail that could make him faster. For Newey, this attention to detail and passion for engineering excellence made Senna one of a kind.
Not only Senna
Moving from the past to the present, Adrian Newey also spoke about Max Verstappen, who in his view belongs to the same exclusive category of “exceptional” drivers. “Max, too, I think is absolutely exceptional,” he said, praising the Dutchman who has already secured four World Championships between 2021 and 2024. “He didn’t have an easy upbringing — that’s no secret — but his maturity is incredible. His ability to handle pressure, to withstand it. He seems to have this extraordinary ability where, whatever is happening in his life, once he puts the helmet on and gets in the car, all the noise just switches off, and he can simply go out and drive. That’s incredibly impressive for any athlete, I think.”
Newey’s words underline the mental strength and composure that have become hallmarks of Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1. Despite the expectations, controversies, and intense competition surrounding him, the Dutch driver has developed a rare ability to isolate himself from distractions and deliver relentless consistency behind the wheel. For Newey, this psychological clarity mirrors the calm focus that once defined Ayrton Senna — an inner ability to perform flawlessly under the most intense pressure.
The connection between the two “exceptional” drivers Newey mentioned — Senna and Verstappen — goes beyond their speed or number of titles. Both represent the complete Formula 1 driver: technically aware, mentally unshakable, and utterly dedicated to perfection. In Newey’s eyes, that combination of traits is what makes them stand above all others he has worked with in his four decades at the pinnacle of motorsport.
As Adrian Newey prepares for his next challenge with Aston Martin, his reflection on these two icons serves as a reminder of what truly defines greatness in Formula 1. For a man who has engineered cars for legends across generations — from Nigel Mansell to Mika Häkkinen, Sebastian Vettel, and now Max Verstappen — being called “exceptional” by Newey is the highest possible praise.
And in that select category, according to the master of aerodynamics himself, there is room for only two: Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen.
Leave a Reply