Multiple F1 teams are vying for the signature of Red Bull designer Adrian Newey for 2025. That’s after the world champions confirmed on Thursday that he’d be leaving the team next year.
Newey has previously turned down three offers from Ferrari during his career. But he’s now ‘seriously considering’ a long-awaited move to Maranello.
Elsewhere, Aston Martin are determined to lure him to their project. Team owner Lawrence Stroll is prepared to pay him more than £400k per week.
The struggling Mercedes have also been credited with a degree of interest. But Newey has concerns over the team’s trajectory and the prospect of working with Toto Wolff.
A return to McLaren shouldn’t be completely ruled out either. Newey previously built a title-winning car for Mika Hakkinen in 1998.
There have even been suggestions that Audi could be a contender. The German giants will enter the grid in 2026 as they acquire the Sauber team
Newey is a legendary figure in the paddock, having won a combined 25 titles in his career. It’s no surprise that the competition for his signature is so intense.
How Adrian Newey suitors responded to off-camera question
Speaking on the Weekend Warm-Up ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, F1TV journalist Laura Winter disclosed details of a behind-the-scenes conversation about Newey. He’s predictably been the talk of the paddock after the week’s revelations.
Winter approached Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and asked a light-hearted question about reported talks. Newey apparently met the Frenchman in London before heading to Florida.
Vasseur, however, was in no mood to give anything away. He’ll be wary of talking up his team’s chances and then missing out.
“I also saw Fred Vasseur and Diego Ioverno in the paddock earlier on,” Winter said. “I sort of joshed with them, ‘have you been busy this week? Any news? Any meetings?’ Any deals being done?’ and they practically ran away from me, they were so keen not to give anything away.”
Is Adrian Newey going to Ferrari?
At this stage, Ferrari certainly look like the favourites to get a deal done. They’ve offered Newey a ‘super consultant’ role in Italy, and that ‘seems to have convinced’ him.
Vasseur may be keeping his cards close to his chest, but he can’t entirely control the narrative. Indeed, Aston Martin insiders have already told Craig Slater that they expect Newey to go to Ferrari, and that will heighten the sense of inevitability.
One of the big attractions of moving to the Prancing Horse is the opportunity work with Lewis Hamilton. F1’s most successful driver is joining from Mercedes in 2025.
David Croft said back in March that he ‘would love’ to see a Ferrari-Hamilton-Newey triumvirate. And he might well get his wish.
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