Adrian Newey Rejects Ferrari, Eyes Moves to Aston Martin or McLaren
Adrian Newey, the renowned Technical Director of Red Bull Racing, is on the verge of rejecting a major transfer to Ferrari and instead choosing between joining Aston Martin or McLaren. According to Motorsport Italy, Newey has “distanced himself from the Scuderia” and is “selecting offers from English teams” because he “prefers to stay in Britain.”
Motorsport Italy’s report also mentions that the path to Maranello has become “a very steep climb” and that Aston Martin and McLaren are now leading the race to secure Newey’s services. Currently, Aston Martin is in the leading position. Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin, had already approached Newey with a lucrative contract offer in March, and Autosport reported that Aston Martin intensified their efforts by hosting Newey during a secret visit to their new state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone.
Newey had previously been linked to a possible transfer to Ferrari and a potential collaboration with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. However, Motorsport Italy claims that Newey will now choose between Aston Martin and McLaren, where he previously worked between 1997 and 2005.
Ferrari, after holding initial talks with Newey, seems reluctant to enter into a bidding war for his services. A final decision from Newey is expected by the end of September, in line with his recent comments to Sky Sports, where he mentioned that a decision about his future would be made in the autumn or winter.
Adding to the speculation, Newey’s former classmate Jeremy Clarkson revealed during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that Newey was “house hunting in Oxfordshire, not in Maranello.” Clarkson told a Viaplay TV presenter, “Do you want an exclusive? I know Adrian Newey is house hunting in Oxfordshire, not Maranello.”
Newey, who will leave Red Bull in early 2025, has a crucial decision ahead of him. His choice between Aston Martin and McLaren will have a significant impact on the future dynamics of Formula 1, as both teams are eager to leverage his expertise to enhance their competitiveness.
While Ferrari seems to have given up trying to secure Newey’s services, the battle between Aston Martin and McLaren is heating up. Newey’s decision will be closely watched by fans and analysts, as his choice could alter the balance of power within the championship. Whichever team Newey chooses will undoubtedly benefit from his vast experience and proven success in the sport.
With Aston Martin and McLaren in strong positions to recruit Newey, the coming weeks will be crucial for the future of the legendary F1 designer’s career.