The 21st century in F1 has so far been dominated by huge manufacturers. It started with Ferrari, then Renault, McLaren followed by Red Bull and Mercedes. However, there lies an outlier between all the billion-dollar companies. Yes, you’re right, it’s Brawn GP. The team shocked everyone during the 2009 season with its innovation. And now, one of the most controversial engineers in F1 who worked for them is rumored to be joining Aston Martin.

Some of you might know this but many of you wouldn’t know why this engineer is the most controversial. Let’s start from the beginning. F1 brought major rule changes to the 2009 season and teams had to find a way around it to stop the rear diffuser from stalling. Brawn GP’s Masayuki Minagawa came up with the brilliant idea of using a double diffuser. 

He presented the idea after finding a loophole in the regulations. When Charlie Whiting ran through the idea, the FIA member suggested that he saw nothing wrong with the idea and that it was within the regulations. The rest is history as Brawn won the F1 championship in their debut season. Even Red Bull tried to copy Brawn’s double diffuser idea midway through the season but wasn’t as successful.

Rumors are floating around that Masayuki Minagawa might be joining Fernando Alonso in Aston Martin. This all started with Minagawa posting a picture where an Aston Martin Team Apparel can be seen hanging in the background. Fans were quick to latch onto the idea of him joining AMR. What’s more, is the fact that Aston Martin blurred the diffuser of the AMR24 in the shakedown video. Fans quickly connected the diffuser blurring, AMR T-Shirt, and Minagawa’s Brawn heroics. 

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Nonetheless, it’s just a wild speculation but might very well become a reality. After all, the 2026 regulations are coming thick and fast. But why would Masayuki Minagawa join?

The possible Aston Martin connections with Masayuki Minagawa

Masayuki Minagawa, before his term with Brawn, worked with Honda in F1. Honda then became Brawn GP. Regardless, Masayuki Minagawa continues to work with Honda despite leaving the F1 project. But guess what? Aston Martin will be partnering with Honda from the 2026 season. The new engine regulations will be provided by Honda as Aston Martin looks to have its independent engine supplier.

And who currently works with Honda, was formerly in F1, and came up with an ingenious idea that led the team to a championship? Yes, Masayuki Minagawa. Since the 2026 regulations will be super new and bring a huge change to the engine as well as aerodynamics, having someone who’s able to find loopholes around them is a great addition.

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What do you think? Will Masayuki Minagawa join Aston Martin or is this just a coincidence?