Ferrari CEO has ‘baulked’ at one Adrian Newey demand in 2025 negotiations

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Adrian Newey drove a Ferrari Formula 1 car at the weekend amid rumours over a potential move to Maranello. The Englishman is leaving Red Bull in the early part of 2025 after handing in his resignation.

Newey drove Niki Lauda’s car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with colleagues Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez all in attendance too. Lauda won two world championships in the 312T.

The future of the 65-year-old has been one of the biggest stories in the F1 paddock ever since Red Bull announced his exit ahead of the Miami GP. The extent of the interest is inevitable given Newey’s track record.

He’s won 12 constructors’ championships over the course of his career, having previously worked at Williams and McLaren. Last year, the RB19 that he designed in conjunction with Red Bull’s technical staff shattered a litany of records, winning 21 out of 22 races.

Ferrari have been at the forefront of the race since the start. Newey has previously rejected three offers from the Scuderia, but there has been optimism that they could tempt him this time.

One journalist called the conversations around Newey and Ferrari ‘crazy’, with many excited at the prospect of a link-up with Lewis Hamilton. The Prancing Horse haven’t won a title since 2008.

Adrian Newey salary is too high for Ferrari

It looks as if Newey won’t be the man to end Ferrari’s drought. According to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson, ‘the word is’ that his prospects of moving to Maranello have ‘receded significantly’.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has ‘baulked at the level of salary Newey commands’. His exact expectations aren’t specified, but Aston Martin have already offered him £407k a week.

There are also concerns that Newey would wield ‘too much power’ and ‘override’ the existing system. Technical director Enrico Cardile has recently left to join Aston, leaving a significant hole in their technical structure.

Newey is ‘actively engaged’ in talks with Lawrence Stroll and while Aston are favourites right now, he hasn’t made his mind up yet. That means McLaren remain in contention.

Newey will be ‘bothered’ by what he’s heard about F1 team boss

In addition to offering an almighty sum of money, Stroll also invited Newey for a tour of his new factory. He even sent his staff members home in a vain attempt to keep it a secret.

Aston are currently fifth in the constructors’ championship, having scored more than double the points of RB behind them. They’ll be disappointed by the 160-point gap to Mercedes ahead.

Come 2026, when they’ll exclusively race with Honda power units, they’ll be hoping to become an established frontrunner. To that end, they’ve already signed Cardile and former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell.

Newey doesn’t ‘particularly like’ Martin Whitmarsh, Cowell’s predecessor, so that personnel change could be doubly beneficial. But he could be ‘bothered’ by the fiery reputation of Stroll as he pursues a peaceful working environment.