Adrian Newey and Ferrari, this dream marriage is unlikely to happen – instead, it is becoming increasingly clear that Aston Martin is in pole position
On Friday, Adrian Newey unveiled his latest creation, the RB17, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was also his “farewell gift” to Red Bull. After 19 years together, the design guru is leaving the team at the end of the year – but probably not the UK
Despite the hopes of many Formula 1 fans and especially the Tifosi, the dream marriage with Ferrari is unlikely to come true: according to the Italian edition of motorsport.com, which is well connected in Ferrari circles, there are increasing signs that Maranello will not be the new home of the top engineer.
Fittingly: Ex-Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, a school friend of Newey’s, recently told ViaplayTV: “Do you want an exclusive? I know Adrian Newey is house hunting in Oxfordshire, not Maranello.” The town in question is just over half an hour’s drive from Silverstone, where Aston Martin’s new mega-factory is based …
In fact, Newey, who is unable to communicate a decision on his future career path before September simply because of his contractual arrangements with his current employer Red Bull, is now clearly leaning towards continuing his career at Aston Martin. The exceptional aerodynamicist has already paid a factory visit to the team in camera
Ferrari and Newey: That’s why it won’t be a match
Newey and Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll should basically be in agreement. However, unlike Ferrari, McLaren does not yet seem to be completely out of the draw as a Plan B.
At the Scuderia, however, the technical department appears to have been weakened following the recently announced departure of Enrico Cardile, also to Aston Martin – although the vacant position of Head of Chassis is not one that Newey would fill.
While those responsible at Ferrari are also reportedly unwilling to enter into a bidding war for the star designer, which they would probably not win against Stroll anyway, the Scuderia’s focus seems to be more on the profile of a strong leader for the technical team than on a kind of specialist consultant like Newey, who does not want to be with the team on a daily basis.
Such a role seems to be much easier for the now 65-year-old to realize at McLaren and Aston Martin, and is said to be the subject of the negotiations that ex-Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan is conducting with the racing teams on Newey’s behalf.
Meanwhile, paddock insiders see the fact that Aston Martin recently removed CEO Martin Whitmarsh and replaced him with ex-Mercedes engine man Andy Cowell as a further pointer in the direction of the Greens.
The relationship between Newey and Whitmarsh has been strained since their time together at McLaren, so the latter’s resignation could well serve to pave the way for the newcomer at Silverstone.