What Ferrari said about Adrian Newey in Lewis Hamilton talks as Aston Martin set to win race

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Adrian Newey is set to join Aston Martin next year, according to a report from Italy. Newey’s future has been the subject of much speculation since he handed in his Red Bull resignation in the spring.

But Newey is now set to accept an £80m proposal from Aston Martin, one that will keep him at the team for four years. There could be an announcement in September.

The 65-year-old successfully negotiated his way out of any gardening leave. That means he’ll be able to start work at the team’s Silverstone HQ from March next year, giving him time to influence their 2026 concept as the new regulations kick in.

Ferrari have been Aston’s main competitors in the race to sign Newey. But in the end, they couldn’t agree terms.

Newey wanted a say in personnel decisions, as well as technical partnerships. Ferrari weren’t prepared to grant him that level of power.

Over at Aston, he’s already exerted his influence. Newey approved the signing of Enrico Cardile, the former Ferrari technical director who will also join in 2025.

Adrian Newey was ‘mentioned’ in Ferrari negotiations with Lewis Hamilton

A report from Formula Passion states that Lewis Hamilton will likely be ‘disappointed’ by the state of Ferrari right now. Hamilton committed to joining the team before a wheel had been turned in 2024.

After a promising start, he’s seen them lose their way in F1’s development race and slip to fourth in the pecking order. What’s more, there appears to be a leadership vacuum in the technical department following Cardile’s exit, with no successor named at this stage.

‘The name of Adrian Newey emerged’ in Hamilton’s initial negotiations with the Scuderia ‘a long time ago’. The implication is that they floated the idea of signing him to convince the 39-year-old to join.

Newey has expressed a desire to work with Hamilton on ‘several’ occasions. But given the stage they have reached in their respective careers, that now looks unlikely.

Adrian Newey set to out-earn 15 F1 drivers at Aston Martin including Lando Norris

Newey’s giant Aston Martin contract will see him net just under £385k per week. It’s unclear whether Ferrari could have matched Lawrence Stroll’s proposal, or whether salaries were a decisive factor in the decision.

Remarkably, Newey will out-earn 15 Formula 1 drivers – 75% of the grid – including McLaren star Lando Norris and his would-be colleague Fernando Alonso. That shows just how much Stroll values his acquisition.

While the move is yet to be confirmed, Aston have long been the favourites to secure his signature. He will complete a formidable backroom team alongside Cardile and former Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell.

The stage is therefore set for them to compete at the front following the 2026 rules reset. They will be the only team running Honda power units, which could also be a unique advantage.