Adrian Newey’s move to 301-point F1 team looked ‘done’ before ‘dramatic’ turnaround

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Adrian Newey has attracted interest up and down the F1 grid in recent months. The legendary designer confirmed at the start of May that he’d be leaving Red Bull in 2025.

The clamour for his signature hasn’t come as a surprise. Newey has been partly responsible for 13 drivers’ titles and 12 constructors’ championships during his career with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

What’s more, given that he’s negotiated his way out of any gardening leave, he can work for a new team as soon as the winter. That gives him time to influence the design of the 2026 car at the start of a new era for F1.

Given his age (65), there’s a strong possibility that this will be the final move of his F1 career. It may be a short-term stop too.

But Newey’s track record suggests he can still make a significant impact. Red Bull only entered F1 in 2006, but they were winning championships by 2010.

The Englishman will want to join a team where he’s valued. Newey left Red Bull after his influence waned, with the technical team pursuing development paths he was ‘strongly against’.

Adrian Newey to Ferrari seemed to be a done deal

Externally, Ferrari appeared the early favourites to sign Newey and, according to Formula Passion, this reflected what was happening behind the scenes. It ‘seemed a done deal’ in the immediate aftermath of his resignation, so say ‘highly qualified sources’.

The two parties had discussed the prospective move in ‘great depth’, and Ferrari approved Newey’s key requests. They told him he could bring ‘trusted men’ with him to Maranello and offered him the kind of role he wanted.

At that stage, the feeling was that only a ‘dramatic turn of events’ could scupper the deal. But that’s exactly what occurred.

Rather than the engineer having second thoughts, it was the Italian team who developed ‘reservations’ about sticking to their agreement. A recent report claimed that the Ferrari leadership ‘baulked’ at Newey’s salary demands.

The one thing that may ‘bother’ Newey about Aston Martin

Aston Martin now look like the firm favourites. Lawrence Stroll recently had dinner with Newey as he pushes to close a statement deal.

After the signings of ex-Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell and Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile, Stroll will see Newey as the final backroom piece he needs to contend for championships post-2026. All of this will give Fernando Alonso hope of finally winning that elusive third title before he retires.

Newey recently had a tour of the Aston Martin factory near the Silverstone circuit. The team owner dismissed his staff to try and keep it a secret, to no avail.

One journalist has flagged up a potential stumbling block for Aston. As he seeks a harmonious and peaceful working environment, Newey may be ‘bothered’ by Stroll’s fearsome reputation.