One Formula 1 team is even ‘less likely’ to sign Adrian Newey than Andretti

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Adrian Newey is so important to Formula 1 that whichever team hires him once he leaves Red Bull Racing will immediately see an improvement in everyone’s estimations.

He’s won more titles than anyone else in F1 history and the fact that his success has been with multiple manufacturers – including McLaren and Williams – highlights the impact he can have when he signs for a new team.

Speaking on The Race Podcast, journalists Glenn Freeman, Josh Suttill and Edd Straw were discussing his potential next destination.

Several teams have already thrown their hat into the ring to bring in Adrian Newey.

It’s been suggested that he could be available to start work for a new team as early as next year.

That would certainly appeal ahead of the 2026 regulation changes, although teams will already be working on those cars now, meaning realistically the next Adrian Newey-designed car on the grid won’t be seen until 2027.

Nearly every team has been linked with Newey, but such are the struggles that Alpine are dealing with right now, it seems even less likely that he’ll be heading to France than potentially joining Andretti.

The American outfit haven’t even been offered a place on the grid yet, however, if they had Newey in their ranks then that might convince F1 that they need an 11^th team in the paddock.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Adrian Newey ‘less likely’ to join Alpine than Andretti

Alpine have had a torrid start to the 2024 season, failing to score a point in the first five Grand Prix.

Esteban Ocon came close in China, finishing 11^th but watching Nico Hulkenberg add another point to his tally and helping Haas very slightly increase their lead over them in the Constructors’ Championship.

Pierre Gasly has had a really tough season and seems to be a small step behind his teammate at this stage.

Alpine have now responded to this disappointment and made a key signing ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

After a disastrous three-month spell at McLaren, David Sanchez has joined the team as Executive Technical Director.

Alpine bringing in Newey would be a huge deal, but they’ve not been linked with the 65-year-old and it’s been suggested that he’s even more likely to join Andretti.

The American manufacturer need all the help they can get right now to convince the 10 teams on the grid that they would add value to the sport, and more importantly, not dilute the funds they’re receiving.

Where is Adrian Newey’s most likely next destination?

When discussing where Newey could end up, Glenn Freeman said: “Did we mention every team except Alpine?”

Suttill replied: “I think they’re even less likely than Andretti, I’d say!”

Straw concluded: “The only pitch to Alpine is like, ‘We’re rubbish, it would be hilarious if you came here and made it good!’

“But yeah, I’d find that one quite hard to see happening, which says a lot about Alpine because it is a works team so really they should be a contender but I think that’s a pretty ridiculous proposition.”

The most likely destination for Newey right now is Ferrari, with the designer ‘seriously considering’ their offer.

Newey met Frederic Vasseur in London ahead of the Miami Grand Prix and a chance to work with Lewis Hamilton after 20 years of the pair admiring each other from afar might appeal.

Aston Martin have also made a mammoth offer for Newey and it’ll be fascinating to see where he ends up.