Peter Windsor explains the most ‘surprising’ thing with Adrian Newey’s next move

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Adrian Newey’s next move has got everybody talking in the Formula 1 paddock, as the legendary designer is set to leave Red Bull after 18 years.

Having been a large part of the team’s success it is seen as a significant moment for both, as Newey’s expertise will undoubtedly benefit the team he is set to join next.

It was rumoured that Newey would move to Ferrari after talks were reportedly held between him and team principal Frederic Vasseur, but this changed when the 65-year-old demanded to have significant influence on the design team in his negotiations.

Aston Martin emerged as the next potential suiters, with Newey reportedly reaching an agreement with Lawrence Stroll to join the Silverstone-based team from next year to work on their 2026 car.

With Newey set to design a car for Fernando Alonso for the first time, Peter Windsor believes the move to that team is surprising compared to the other options that were on the table when speaking on his YouTube channel.

The ‘biggest thing’ in Adrian Newey’s next move

If Newey does go to Aston Martin, it would be the fifth team he has worked for since making his debut with Leyton House in 1988.

Windsor believes that Newey should have returned to McLaren and finds it surprising that the team was unable to launch a bid for his services, given they are backed by the Bahrain Sovereign Wealth fund Mumtalakat.

“The biggest thing here is why he’s not going to McLaren. Because you would imagine that Zak Brown going after everything that he can get, you would imagine Adrian would be number one on his shopping list as well,” said Windsor.

“Maybe he just realises he can’t outbid Lawrence Stroll, which is surprising because he has serious Bahrain backers.”

The demands Ferrari could not accept with Adrian Newey

There were a few reasons why the move to Ferrari was never pulled off for Newey, notwithstanding that it was the fourth time of asking.

Newey’s salary demands exceeded what Ferrari was willing to offer, with him intent on doubling his Red Bull earnings with a move.

In addition, former F1 mechanic Marc Priestley also believes Newey wanted to bring up to 20 employees with him to the new team and Ferrari was not prepared to restructure its design operation around him.

Instead, Newey looks set to join the team with one of the most impressive factories while billionaire owner Stroll plans to invest £783m to make Aston Martin a title-winning success.