If the Red Bull team falls apart, Adrian Newey could have the chance to make up for two missed opportunities
Will Ferrari have the dream combination of Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Newey in 2025? The Scuderia has already snapped up the seven-time world champion, but will he be followed by the star designer?
Newey is actually firmly in the saddle at Red Bull, but recent events at the racing team may have at least opened the door for a departure. Newey is considered a close friend of team boss Christian Horner, and both are even said to have contracts that are linked to each other.
If Horner has to go or if the team is further torn apart by current events, Newey could also leave. Ralf Schumacher has already said that Newey is “a person in need of harmony” and “certainly won’t do that to himself in the long term”.
One option would be Mercedes, where he could go together with Max Verstappen should the Dutchman also pull the ripcord, but perhaps an even more realistic option would be Ferrari.
Newey emphasized last year that he emotionally regrets never having worked for Ferrari. He could make up for that. And he could also work there with Lewis Hamilton, with whom he has also never had any direct dealings. That would also have been “fabulous”, as he said at the time. Newey could thus kill two birds with one stone
“My change has shown that anything is possible “
Hamilton himself doesn’t want to rule it out: “I think my switch has shown that anything is possible.”
However, he plays down the importance of the designer: “I know Adrian takes all the credit for everyone’s work. I know he’s obviously a big part of it, but I also know there are so many engineers who are part of the development in the background,” said Hamilton. “It’s not down to one person. “
“It’s not my decision either,” he continues. “But I’m racing against him this year, so I can’t say anything about next year yet.”
Meanwhile, he does not currently see Max Verstappen taking his place at Mercedes: “I’m sure Max is on the list, but I’m pretty sure he has a contract. And I also can’t see why you would leave a car that is so good. “
Memories of difficult McLaren times
But who knows what else will happen at Red Bull. The team is facing a crucial test and is in danger of losing important employees. Hamilton himself knows how difficult this is for a team because he is reminded of his time at McLaren, when the then team boss Ron Dennis came under severe pressure in the wake of the Spygate affair.
“We went through a difficult time and that affected everyone. I don’t know if it’s the same there, but that’s the experience I remember,” says Hamilton.
“The things Ron had to go through and the steps we had to take affected us all.”
“A leader is incredibly important because he sets the tone and ensures that the team adheres to the values that the sport exemplifies. There are other people further down the line who are also so important, but the leader is key to the goal you’re working towards. “