Adrian Newey is leaving Red Bull in the early part of 2025. The legendary designer handed in his resignation last month, sparking rival F1 teams into action.
Ferrari have been the favourites from the outset. Newey has previously rejected three offers from the Scuderia but he’s now giving the move serious consideration.
The 65-year-old held talks with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in London before the Miami Grand Prix. He’s been offered the kind of ‘super consultant’ role he wants.
Competitors haven’t given up just yet. Williams are ‘working tirelessly’ to bring Newey back after he helped them win five constructors’ titles in the 1990s, while new Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has been on the phone too.
Aston Martin made a monumental offer to Newey but even insiders at the Silverstone outfit expect him to head to Italy instead. BBC F1 pundit Marc Priestley relayed talk in the Monaco GP paddock that the deal was done.
There hasn’t been any official confirmation just yet. But if Ferrari are able to get the Newey deal over the line, then many will see it as a big step towards ending a championship drought that stretches back to 2008.
Aston Martin think Adrian Newey could give them a chance to Enrico Cardile from Ferrari
Autosport reiterate that Newey hasn’t made a final decision on his next destination. He’s eager to take his time before doing so, aware that he won’t be able to work for another team until the winter anyway.
With Newey unlikely to join, Aston Martin have set their sights on an alternative target. They’ve launched a move for Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile.
Aston owner Lawrence Stroll believe there could be an ‘opportunity’ if Cardile is ‘unsettled’ by the prospect of Newey’s arrival. He may feel that his role will be ‘diminished’ if the Red Bull man joins.
The report stresses that he’d only take up a consultancy position, but he may naturally be the centre of attention given his status within the sport. This could ‘overshadow the efforts’ of those behind Ferrari’s recent resurgence, including Cardile.
Why Toto Wolff wasn’t sure about signing Newey
Some figures at Red Bull were apparently ‘quite pleased’ about Newey’s resignation. They didn’t like his working methods, and they wanted the chance to prove that it wasn’t ‘all about’ him.
Vasseur’s vision may have been for the Englishman to guide the existing team without disrupting the structure that’s already in place. He’s already stressed that the collective is more important than any individuals.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been hesitant to pursue Newey. He fears that the move could ’cause too much unrest internally’, possibly for the same reasons outlined above.
The Silver Arrows initially gave him the ‘cold shoulder’ but have now made an approach. Perhaps this reflects the reality that hiring a figure with Newey’s track record is worth the risk.
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