Adrian Newey is leaving Red Bull in the early part of next year and his suitors are trying to convince him to join. As it stands, Ferrari are perhaps the main protagonists in the race.
Newey has previously turned down three offers from the Prancing Horse. But he’s ‘seriously considering’ accepting their latest approach in what could be the final big move of his storied career.
The 65-year-old, who’s due to depart in mid-to-late February 2025, reportedly held a meeting with team principal Fred Vasseur in London last week. They’re offering to make him a ‘super consultant’, which is exactly what he wants.
Predictably, Vasseur has refused to be drawn on those suggestions. One journalist asked him to comment in Miami, and he apparently ‘ran away’.
Ferrari can offer Newey the chance to work with Lewis Hamilton, F1’s most successful driver. The Briton has committed to a multi-year deal with the Scuderia.
And he may also sense an opportunity to bolster his legacy further by bringing the glory days back to Maranello. The Italian giants haven’t won either championship since 2008.
Zak Brown rejects Adrian Newey retirement suggestions
Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, McLaren CEO Zak Brown ruled his team out of the race to sign Newey. Newey designed two title-winning cars for the team at the end of 1990s, both of them for Mika Hakkinen.
Reports had suggested that a return was potentially on the cards. But Brown is satisfied with a technical team that just delivered an ‘astonishing’ upgrade package for Miami Grand Prix race-winner Lando Norris.
Newey’s manager Eddie Jordan recently said he’s ‘more likely’ to take time out than join another team straightaway in F1. But Brown, who has a close relationship with the legendary engineer, is adamant that we haven’t seen the last of him in the sport.
“We’re very happy with what we have,” he said. “He’s obviously the most successful designer of all time and a good friend. We go race cars together. We’re going to do the Monaco historics next week.
“I’m very happy with the team that we have. It’s fascinating that he’s left. Let’s see what he does. He’s been doing this a long time.
“Eddie Jordan works with him and looks after him, and he said ‘look, don’t expect him to just jump into something new tomorrow’, and I take that at face value. I think Adrian’s going to go enjoy Monaco historics next week, and take some time to figure out what he wants to do.
“I think he’ll continue in F1. I think he loves the sport. He’s definitely not done.”
Aston Martin also interested in Adrian Newey
Of course, Ferrari aren’t the only team in the race to sign Newey. Aston Martin team principal Lawrence Stroll has reportedly made a giant offer, and Natalie Pinkham wasn’t convinced when Mike Krack tried to deny the story.
Former F1 driver Jenson Button reckons that Newey would prefer to stay UK-based. That would leave him choosing between Aston, Mercedes and Williams if McLaren is off the table.
Toto Wolff was seen speaking to Newey in the Miami GP paddock but refused to disclose details of the conversation. Meanwhile, James Vowles has openly discussed his interest in engineering a ‘perfect’ comeback.
Audi could also make a move as they prepare for their works entry in 2026. They, like the rest of the interested parties, know that Newey would not only help them build mighty cars, but increase their attraction for drivers across the grid too.
The post ‘Adrian’s going to’: Zak Brown shares what Newey is ‘definitely’ going to do next after leaving Red Bull appeared first on F1 Oversteer.