Adrian Newey will leave his post as the chief technical officer at Red Bull in the early part of 2025. And as it stands, Ferrari are the favourites to get him.
Newey is 65 years old but close friend and McLaren boss Zak Brown says we ‘definitely’ haven’t seen the last of him in Formula 1. That may be why he negotiated his way out of any gardening leave.
The designer will be able to join a new team in time to have a significant impact on their 2026 car, should he wish. This is particularly significant in light of the sweeping regulation changes.
Ferrari’s interest in Newey is long-standing. They have made three approaches for the Englishman during his career, but it may now be fourth time lucky.
He’s ‘seriously considering’ a move to Maranello, having been offered exactly the kind of ‘super consultant’ role he desires. He held talks with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in London earlier this month.
Ferrari will see Newey as the final piece of the puzzle as they look to end a title drought that stretches back to 2008. He’s won 25 championships in a storied career, achieving success in multiple different eras of F1.
Adrian Newey to Ferrari talk will sting for Carlos Sainz
Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Peter Windsor pondered how Carlos Sainz would be feeling about the news of Newey potentially joining Ferrari. Sainz has, of course, lost his seat with the Scuderia for 2025 after they signed Lewis Hamilton.
If Ferrari do win the race, then they may well enter 2026 as the favourites. And that would be a fresh blow to five-time pole-sitter Sainz, who will feel he’d done enough to keep his seat.
Windsor said: “I keep going on about how much I feel for him in the current situation, being as good as he is, as quick as he is, knowing that he’s going to be sacked from this great team at the end of the year. The team that probably will be having Adrian Newey in the future! Talk about a slap in the face.”
Hamilton himself has admitted that Sainz has done a ‘great’ job in 2024. Despite missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix through illness, he’s level with Miami GP winner Lando Norris in the standings on 83 points.
Where is Carlos Sainz going for 2025?
For Sainz, the key at this stage is to look ahead and ensure he’s in the best possible position for 2025. There are still a plethora of options on the table.
The only team who can be definitively ruled out is McLaren. With Norris and Oscar Piastri both under contract, a return to Woking is out of the question.
He’s also unlikely to get an opportunity alongside compatriot Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. Lance Stroll is the son of team owner Lawrence, though he’s yet to sign a new deal.
Sainz started his career at Toro Rosso and could possibly return to the Red Bull family. Christian Horner wants to bring him back, but he may need Helmut Marko to leave and strengthen his authority before he can do so.
The 29-year-old may also have the chance to replace Hamilton at Mercedes. However, he’d have to be content with a one-year deal as Toto Wolff tries to keep a spot available for Max Verstappen in 2026.
Some view Audi as his likeliest destination right now. The German manufacturer will enter the sport in a couple of years as they acquire the Sauber team.
And there’s also been talk this week of a possible move to Alpine. Sainz raced for the team in their former guise as Renault but would need some convincing to return given their woes this year.
Finally, there’s Williams, who like Sauber have yet to score a point this year. James Vowles would love to sign him, but it’s predictably seen as a ‘long shot’.
The post 'Talk about a slap in the face': Peter Windsor says Adrian Newey to Ferrari rumours will hurt five-pole driver appeared first on F1 Oversteer.