Aston Martin unveil Adrian Newey as it happened

The press conference has ended.

But Adrian Newey's new chapter at Aston Martin is only just beginning.

"I was flattered by the number of teams that did approach me.

"I had discussions with some of those teams, not all of them.

"It became a clear and natural choice."

"I can tell you that Adrian is a bargain!

"I've been in business for 40 years. I've never been more certain. It's not an investment - he's a shareholder and a partner.

"We intend to be around for a long time together. It is relatively inexpensive for everything that Adrian brings."

"At Red Bull, it's well known that in 2014 with the hybrid engine, we didn't have a competitive PU with no light at the end of the tunnel.

"That's when I felt like I needed something else, which became the Valkyrie.

"Once we got the Honda PU it was a different position, and I got properly back involved with F1.

"It is now a very mature team so I felt able, once we got through the peak of the research and design of the 2022 car, to step back a bit. Because the 2023 and this year's car are evolutions of the 2022 car.

"But this is different - a fresh challenge, new stimulation."

"Moving teams is always a big commitment to try to understand how everybody works, to engage with them, to be involved in shaping things if necessary.

"It takes time and commitment. To start with, I'll be fully in. I need to be, I have to be.

"The good news is that I've been in motor racing, working at the tracks, since 1982 with Formula 2. Then IndyCar, and F1 since 1988.

"This summer has been busier than Mandy and I anticipated!"

"We have raced against each other for many years. He was an inspiration.

"Thanks to Adrian's cars, we all got better. Drivers, engineers, teams raised the bar, thanks to him, in order to compete.

"Lawrence's vision is taking shape with this building, with Honda, Aramco, the wind tunnel.

"For me, it's an incredible opportunity professionally to work with Adrian.

"On a personal side, it's an incredible opportunity to work with people who you can learn so much from.

"We are learning things on track, off track too. It is part of our growth."

"It's a huge day," Lance says.

"It's the most exciting day in this team's history.

"Adrian has won more championships than anyone in the paddock.

"2026 is not far away, new regulations and new opportunity."

The drivers will speak next.

"Lance I've known for many years, back from his F3 days when my lad Harry was also racing," Newey said.

"He dominated the second half of that year in F3.

"Fernando, we've battled against each other for years! He has been a bit of an arch-enemy at times!

"We came so close to him joining Red Bull for the 2009 season but it didn't happen which was a shame.

"We continued to battle. He's a legend of the sport. I am looking forward to working with him."

"I try to work in various ways," he said. "One is relatively solitary, standing at my board and trying to create, coming up with ideas.

"The second, and the bigger proportion, is working with my fellow engineers at all levels.

"The third is going to races, trying to understand what the drivers are feeling. Turning their descriptions about how the car is behaving into engineering language, and searching for a solution."

"We will focus most of our energy next year on 2026. That will be our focus."

"Adrian is the biggest part of the puzzle from a technical and a leadership point of view," Stroll says.

"It will have a trickle down effect through the whole organisation."

"I don't know until I start, there is no point forecasting these things," he admitted.

"We would love to have a good 2025. For me, it's about learning to work with everybody and getting the best out of everybody."

"The PU has been announced for some time. Honda will be working very hard on that. I am pleased to stay working with Honda, a great bunch of engineers.

"On the chassis side, the aerodynamic regulations will be announced on 1 or 2 of January. I will join two months into that. I'll get up to speed as quickly as possible.

"The 2026 rules are an opportunity because there will be a reset for everybody.

"Whether we capitalise on it or not? We don't know. I don't fret about these things. You do the best job you can do.

"Every F1 team is the same. You have three departments - aerodynamics, mechanical design, vehicle performance.

"It will be having synergy between those departments, and Honda on the PU side. More than ever there will be interaction between the PU and the chassis."

"We really did begin to speak briefly about three years back. The most recent talks in earnest began when I read news about Adrian's departure.

"He shares my vision. He is a super smart guy."

"We have a strong team, some of which Adrian has already worked with," Stroll says.

"Adrian will be the technical managing partner of that team.

"On a day to day basis he will be here, full-time committed to F1, giving leadership and direction to his team."

"Lawrence is unique in being the only properly active team owner.

"It's a different feeling. It's back to the old school model.

"To have the chance to be a shareholder and a partner has never been offered to me before. It's a slightly different slant."

"I felt as if I needed a new challenge," Newey says.

"Towards the end of April I decided that I needed to do something different. I spent time with my wife deciding what's next - do we sail around the world? Do I do the America's Cup?

"I took time out. I've been lucky enough to achieve what I aspired to from the age of 10 or 12, to be a designer in motor racing. Everything else is a bonus. 

"You have to keep yourself fresh, be honest with yourself.

"Lawrence and I have known each other, off and on, over the years. We often bump into each other at the gym, at the Middle East and Far East races.

"When I announced I'd be departing the old team, I was flattered to have a lot of approaches from teams.

"Lawrence's passion, commitment, enthusiasm was endearing and persuasive."

"We have put together a fantastic management team.

"Building this premises showed our intent. It is so grand, so special.

"We can build 100% of the car here. We will have the first wind tunnel built in over 20 years.

"Putting that in place, then looking for our technical leader.

"I've been trying to speak to Adrian for a couple of years. I believe when things are supposed to happen, they happen.

"There is no other F1 team who are poised for the future like we are."

Stroll says: "Adrian is arguably the greatest in the world at what he does.

"He has the passion and desire to win. As do I."

Stroll says: "The most exciting news in Aston Martin's F1 history.

"As rumoured, Adrian Newey will be joining us.

"First and foremost as a shareholder, and as a technical managing partner of our F1 team."

The big boss is about to speak.

Someone is about to sign on the dotted line

That's a tweet from Aston Martin, just now...

Every word from the press conference will appear here.