There’s an awful lot of talk in the paddock at the moment about the future of Adrian Newey.
The 65-year-old has overseen countless championship-winning cars and helped lead Red Bull from a midfield team to one of the most dominant organisations in Formula 1 history.
Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, journalist and presenter Natalie Pinkham has shared some of the investigative work she’s been doing on the grid this season.
Last week, it emerged that Adrian Newey might be considering leaving Red Bull.
He’s been instrumental in designing the cars that helped Sebastian Vettel become a four-time world champion and Max Verstappen looking set to match that achievement at the end of the 2024 season.
With regulation changes coming in 2026 and Red Bull embarking on their own power unit journey without Honda, Christian Horner will be keen for as much stability as possible.
Unfortunately, internal politics within the team seem to be driving key personnel apart and Adrian Newey might be the first person to walk away.
Aston Martin have been linked with Newey and are set to offer him a ridiculous contract.
Natalie Pinkham has spoken to Aston Martin’s team principal Mike Krack about the prospect of signing Newey and shared his rather coy answer.
It makes sense for the 52-year-old to keep his cards close to his chest.
However, team owner Lawrence Stroll is not shying away from splashing the cash in his efforts to become the next dominant force in Formula 1.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Mike Krack answers question on Aston Martin potentially signing Adrian Newey
Heading into the 2024 season, all eyes were on whether Aston Martin had taken strides forward over the winter to replicate their blistering start to last season, or been dragged into a midfield battle by the teams below them.
In reality, they’ve held station in the pecking order but are on the right side of the divide that’s appeared on the grid.
Fernando Alonso is once again outperforming the car he’s been given and fighting with both Mercedes and McLaren cars this year.
Unfortunately, Lance Stroll has been dragged into the battle with the bottom five teams and the gulf between Aston Martin’s two drivers seems to be growing.
Mike Krack was delighted when Alonso decided to commit his future to the team after the Japanese Grand Prix.
Krack was less open when asked about the prospect of signing Newey, but he would elevate the team to another level if he arrived in Silverstone.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
Adrian Newey could take Aston Martin to the next level ahead of 2026 regulation changes
Talking about a potential move to Aston Martin for Newey, Pinkham said: “He gets to work with Fernando [Alonso] which as we know, it’s him and Lewis [Hamilton] the two that he wants to work with.
“I actually think it would be a really good fit.
“I did directly ask Mike Krack has an offer been made to Adrian Newey, he said no but he also laughed at the same time.
“So, he hasn’t got a very good poker face.”
While Krack didn’t give anything away about whether Aston Martin are going to be signing Newey, his denial didn’t seem particularly convincing either.
Newey is likely to have the option to join any team on the grid he wants should he confirm he’s walking away from Red Bull.
There’s still a scenario where he could stay at Red Bull, but that seems unlikely at this stage.
Ferrari would love to bring Newey in and the idea of him joining Lewis Hamilton in 2025 is tantalising.
It’s another fascinating side plot to a Formula 1 season with more going on off the track than on it.
The post ‘He said’: Natalie Pinkham shares Mike Krack’s answer when asked about Aston Martin signing Adrian Newey appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
