Adrian Newey already delighted with one Aston Martin hire ahead of potentially joining the team

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Adrian Newey has reportedly decided to join Aston Martin after he leaves Red Bull. The legendary designer handed in his resignation in May and can work for a new team from early next year.

Newey has apparently signed a four-year deal with Aston Martin, one that will net him a whopping £80m. They’re expected to announce his arrival next month, though they have publicly insisted nothing is imminent.

Lawrence Stroll acceded to Newey’s demands during the negotiation process, while rivals Ferrari were hesitant. They didn’t want to give the 65-year-old a say in the running of the team.

He wanted a stake in who was hired, what role they carried out and which technical partnerships the team forged. Stroll was seemingly willing to do whatever was necessary to bring him on board.

Of all the teams in the midfield, Aston are perhaps the most ambitious. They want to be competing for world championships within the next few years.

To that end, Stroll has tied two-time title-winner Fernando Alonso down to a new contract, and also struck an exclusive engine partnership with Honda. The Japanese manufacturer are splitting with Red Bull at the end of next year.

Adrian Newey approved Aston Martin signing of Enrico Cardile

According to Autosprint, Newey has already influenced the composition of the technical team at Aston Martin. He ‘gave his approval’ to the signing of Enrico Cardile from Ferrari.

Aston confirmed last month that Cardile, formerly the technical director at Maranello, would join in 2025. He will carry out the chief technical officer role at Silverstone – the same position Newey occupied at Red Bull.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

That in turn will free up the Englishman to operate as more of a consultant. It’s been widely reported that Newey doesn’t want to work full-time at this stage of his career.

There’s apparently a great deal of mutual respect between Newey and Cardile, who will be responsible for designing an elite-level chassis. Former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell will take over as CEO ahead of the transition to Honda power.

The concern Lawrence Stroll had about Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile

Some Red Bull staff were ‘quite pleased’ when Newey resigned amid dissatisfaction with his working methods. While introverted by nature, he was dominating the spotlight and overshadowing the contribution of some of his colleagues.

Ironically, Lawrence Stroll thought Cardile would have similar concerns when Ferrari approached Newey. The prospect of a ‘diminished’ role could have ‘unsettled’ him.

However, the dynamic is different here. Cardile already has a clearly defined role in the Aston project, and Newey should only complement him.

Both of them will be working under a fearsome team boss. One journalist thought Newey would be ‘bothered’ by Stroll’s reputation but he must have been reassured by the charm offensive.