Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing, was seen observing Oliver Bearman, the Reserve Driver for Ferrari SF-24, on the grid during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This event has sparked rumors among insiders in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, suggesting that Newey may be considering a move to Ferrari.
These rumors stem from Newey’s reported dissatisfaction with the controversies surrounding Red Bull’s Team Principal, Christian Horner. It is believed that this unsettled atmosphere has prompted Newey to contemplate leaving the team he has been associated with since its inception in 2005.
In response to these reports, Red Bull released a statement stating that they are unaware of any plans for Newey to join another team. However, sources from Auto Motor und Sport have suggested that Ferrari is the most likely destination for Newey. Craig Slater of Sky F1 has also shared that some of Newey’s colleagues at Aston Martin share this opinion.
While Ferrari has been attempting to secure Newey’s services for over two decades, Aston Martin has also expressed interest in having him join their team. The logistical advantage of Aston Martin being based at Silverstone makes it a more convenient option for Newey. However, insiders at Aston Martin believe that if he were to leave, Ferrari would be his most likely destination.
Last month, it was reported that Aston Martin had made a lucrative offer to Newey in hopes of transforming their team into genuine title contenders. Throughout his time at Red Bull, Newey has been linked with various moves, including previous approaches from Ferrari. Not working for the Italian team and not having the opportunity to design a car for Lewis Hamilton are two emotional regrets for Newey. However, a move to Ferrari at this stage of his career would allow him to fulfill both of these ambitions, especially as Hamilton has already agreed to join Ferrari in 2025.