Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing, may consider joining Ferrari or Mercedes if he decides to leave Red Bull, as reported by the Italian media. Speculations suggest that Newey is planning to end his long association with Red Bull due to internal power struggles within the team. The 65-year-old Briton is widely regarded as the most successful designer in Formula 1 history, having played a crucial role in Red Bull’s 13 championship wins since 2006. If Newey does leave Red Bull, his services could be in high demand, with rumors suggesting that Aston Martin has already made an attempt to recruit him. Aston Martin, backed by billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, has made significant investments in their F1 project and even offered Newey a $100 million deal. However, it is believed that Newey is not interested in a full-time technical role and would prefer a consultant position that allows him to be more flexible. Ferrari, with their resources and reputation, could potentially provide such an opportunity. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Newey’s current contract with Red Bull includes clauses that could complicate any potential move. These clauses could extend his gardening leave period by an additional 12 months.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Ferrari is eager to utilize Newey’s expertise for the new technical regulations and is open to negotiations with Red Bull. The team, based in Maranello, is set to welcome Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to join current driver Charles Leclerc and is willing to match Aston’s contract. However, Ferrari is not the only team interested in Newey, as Motorsport Italy suggests that he will also hold discussions with Mercedes after the upcoming Miami race. There are separate reports indicating that Max Verstappen’s team is scheduled to meet with Mercedes next month, aiming to take advantage of the unsettled situation at Red Bull. F1 Insider states that Verstappen may consider switching to Mercedes, but he would require assurances about the team’s competitiveness and the arrival of Red Bull engineers. Newey’s potential hiring would be a significant move, as he has been the mastermind behind the cars that have led Verstappen to three consecutive championships. Meanwhile, Mercedes is set to lose Hamilton to Ferrari at the end of this season and has faced challenges at the start of the current campaign due to correlation issues with its W15 car. However, Mercedes has responded by acquiring Simone Resta and Enrico Sampo from Ferrari, who previously led the Italian team’s simulation department. While Ferrari and Mercedes are making efforts to persuade the legendary car designer to join their respective teams, retirement remains a possibility.