How To Build A Car

1. Early Infatuation with Motorsport Shapes a Career Path

By the age of six I’d decided my future lay in motor sport. I was 12 when I knew I wanted to design racing cars.

Childhood Dreams. Adrian Newey's passion for motorsport ignited early, fueled by Scalextric, Formula One races, and iconic films like The Italian Job and Vanishing Point. This early fascination solidified his ambition to design racing cars, setting the stage for his future career. His passions were further nurtured by devouring Autosport magazine and following motorsport events, laying the foundation for his deep understanding of the sport.

Home as a Workshop. Newey's father, a veterinarian with a passion for engineering, provided a supportive environment for his son's burgeoning interest. The family garage became a workshop where Newey tinkered with cars, built model kits, and experimented with his own designs. This hands-on experience, coupled with his father's encouragement, instilled in him a problem-solving mindset and an eye for detail.

Early Experiments. Even in school, Newey's interest in aerodynamics manifested in unconventional ways, such as modifying felt-tip pens into darts for classroom competitions. These early experiments, though often resulting in canings, demonstrated his innate curiosity and desire to understand the principles of aerodynamics, foreshadowing his later success in racing car design.

2. The Drawing Board as a Designer's First Language

Call me a dinosaur, but I think of it as my first language; for me it represents a state of continuity and I like continuity; it’s something I strive for.

The Enduring Power of the Drawing Board. Despite the prevalence of computer-aided design (CAD) systems, Newey remains committed to his drawing board, viewing it as his primary means of expression. He values the ability to see everything at scale and to sketch freely, allowing for rapid iteration and a more intuitive design process. This preference highlights his belief in the importance of continuity and the fluency he has developed over years of practice.

Integrating Mechanical and Aerodynamic Design. Newey emphasizes the importance of integrating mechanical and aerodynamic design, ensuring that the two complement each other in a cohesive package. This holistic approach, honed through years of experience, allows him to create cars that are not only aerodynamically efficient but also mechanically sound and responsive to the driver's needs.

Embracing Regulation Changes. Newey thrives on the challenge of working within new regulations, viewing them as opportunities to innovate and find creative solutions. He relishes the process of interpreting the rules and identifying subtle differences between their literal meaning and intended purpose, allowing him to explore uncharted avenues in design.

3. Ground Effect Aerodynamics: A Game Changer

Turn this upside down, so that you have a downforce-generating wing with its endplate rubbing on the ground, and suddenly you have a massively effective solution.

The Lotus Innovation. The introduction of ground-effect aerodynamics by Lotus in 1977 marked a turning point in racing car design, shifting the focus towards generating downforce through the shaping of the car's underbody. This disruptive technology, utilizing sliding skirts to seal the underwing to the ground, revolutionized the sport and inspired Newey's own exploration of ground-effect principles.

Harnessing Nature's Efficiency. Newey draws inspiration from nature, citing the example of swans flying just above the water to harness ground effect and reduce wingtip vortices. This biomimicry approach, combined with his understanding of aerodynamics, allows him to develop innovative solutions that maximize downforce and minimize drag.

University Project. Newey's final-year project at Southampton University focused on ground-effect aerodynamics applied to a sports car, demonstrating his early interest in this area. This project, which involved designing and testing a one-quarter-scale model in a wind tunnel, provided him with valuable experience and a portfolio piece that would later impress prospective employers.

4. Race Engineering: A Blend of Disciplines

What attracted me to race engineering, besides the chance to learn something new, was the opportunity to combine that with being a designer and an aerodynamicist.

A Holistic Approach. Newey's decision to work as a race engineer, in addition to his roles as a designer and aerodynamicist, stemmed from a desire to gain a more complete understanding of racing car performance. This experience allowed him to combine theoretical knowledge with practical insights from the track, informing his design decisions and enhancing his ability to create competitive cars.

Learning from Johnny Cecotto. Newey credits Johnny Cecotto, a Venezuelan driver with a background in motorcycle racing, for giving him a second chance after a rocky start as a race engineer. Cecotto's trust and support allowed Newey to learn the ropes and develop his skills, ultimately contributing to Cecotto's success in Formula Two.

Customizing the Car. Race engineering involves tailoring the car's setup to the individual driver and the specific characteristics of the circuit. This process requires a deep understanding of the driver's style, the car's handling, and the interplay between mechanical and aerodynamic factors.

5. The Highs and Lows of American Motorsport

Daytona, like Indianapolis, has a vertical tower showing all the car positions, and as I passed on my way to the toilet block, I glanced up to see that P1 was car 88.

From Formula Two to IMSA. After a successful season in Formula Two, Newey ventured to the United States to work on IMSA GTP cars, gaining valuable experience in a different racing environment. This move exposed him to new challenges, such as oval tracks and endurance races, and allowed him to further develop his skills as a team manager and strategist.

Daytona Dreams. Newey's experience at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1983, where his team finished second despite numerous setbacks, provided him with invaluable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving, and race management. This unexpected success, achieved with limited resources and a novice driver, solidified his reputation as a talented and resourceful engineer.

The Al Holbert Connection. Newey's collaboration with Al Holbert, an American driver with strong ties to Porsche, led to the development of a Porsche-engined March sports car that dominated the 1984 IMSA season. This partnership, though tragically cut short by Holbert's death, further enhanced Newey's reputation and opened doors to new opportunities in the world of motorsport.

6. Formula One Beckons: A Technical Director's Ascent

I was the grand old age of 25.

Return to Europe. After his successful stint in the United States, Newey returned to Europe and was appointed chief designer at March, overseeing the design of Formula Two and Indy cars. This role allowed him to further hone his design skills and solidify his reputation as a rising star in the world of motorsport.

The Fittipaldi Connection. Harvey Postlethwaite, technical director at Fittipaldi Automotive, played a pivotal role in Newey's career by offering him his first job in Formula One. This opportunity, though short-lived due to the team's financial struggles, provided Newey with invaluable experience and a taste of the highest level of motorsport.

Brabham and Bernie. A chance encounter with Bernie Ecclestone, then the owner of the Brabham team, led to an offer to become technical director. However, the deal fell through when Ecclestone sold the team, leaving Newey to pursue other opportunities.

7. Tragedy at Imola: Responsibility and Reflection

I have had one driver die in a car I’ve designed. Ayrton. That fact weighs heavily upon me, and while I’ve got many issues with the FIA and the way they have governed the sport over the years, I give them great credit for their contribution to improving safety in the sport.

The Shadow of Imola. The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola was a turning point in Newey's career, marked by the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. These tragic events forced him to confront the inherent risks of motorsport and the responsibility that comes with designing racing cars.

A Designer's Dilemma. Newey grapples with the ethical considerations of balancing performance and safety, acknowledging the pressure to create faster cars while ensuring the well-being of the drivers. He credits the FIA for its efforts to improve safety regulations, recognizing the importance of minimizing the risk of injury in a sport where danger is ever-present.

The Aftermath. The aftermath of Imola was a period of intense scrutiny and self-reflection for Newey, as he and his team sought to understand the causes of Senna's accident. The experience instilled in him a deep respect for safety and a commitment to designing cars that prioritize driver protection.

8. Championship Glory Amidst Personal Turmoil

I distinctly remember that moment of thinking, Bloody hell, I’m a bloke from Stratford who went to the local tech college, and now I’m living – living – in LA.

Personal and Professional Crossroads. The 1984 season was a period of personal upheaval for Newey, marked by a move to Los Angeles, a failing marriage, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Despite these difficulties, he found solace in his work, race engineering for Bobby Rahal and contributing to the design of the March 85C.

The March 85C. The March 85C, designed by Newey, proved to be a dominant force in IndyCar, winning both the championship and the Indy 500. This success, achieved despite a compressed design cycle and limited resources, solidified Newey's reputation as a talented and innovative designer.

A New Chapter. The success of the March 85C led to Newey's promotion to chief designer, marking a significant step in his career. However, it also coincided with a period of personal turmoil, as his marriage to Amanda began to unravel.

9. Red Bull Racing: A New Era Begins

I am the most competitive person he knew.

A New Challenge. After a period of disillusionment at McLaren, Newey sought a new challenge and joined Red Bull Racing, a team with ambitious goals but a limited track record. This move represented a significant gamble, but it also offered him the opportunity to build a team from the ground up and shape its future success.

Building a Winning Team. Newey's arrival at Red Bull marked the beginning of a new era for the team, as he set about implementing his design philosophy and building a culture of innovation and excellence. He focused on creating a cohesive team, fostering a collaborative environment, and empowering his engineers to push the boundaries of design.

The 24-Hour Rule. Newey introduced the "24-hour rule" at Red Bull, a practice of delaying concrete action on new ideas for a day to allow for thorough critique and evaluation. This approach encourages careful consideration and prevents hasty decisions, ensuring that only the most promising ideas are pursued.

10. The Relentless Pursuit of Performance: A Designer's Ethos

For me, that meeting of the imagination with practical concerns began at home.

A Constant Drive. Newey's career is defined by a relentless pursuit of performance, a desire to push the boundaries of design and create cars that are both innovative and competitive. This drive, fueled by a passion for motorsport and a deep understanding of aerodynamics, has led to numerous championship victories and cemented his status as one of the greatest designers in Formula One history.

Learning from Mistakes. Newey acknowledges that mistakes are inevitable in the pursuit of innovation, but emphasizes the importance of learning from them and using them as opportunities for growth. He views setbacks as valuable lessons that can inform future designs and prevent similar errors from being repeated.

A Lasting Legacy. Newey's legacy extends beyond the numerous championships he has won, encompassing his contributions to the sport's technological advancements and his influence on a generation of designers. His innovative designs, his commitment to excellence, and his unwavering passion for motorsport have left an indelible mark on the world of Formula One.

Last updated: February 4, 2025