Adrian Newey is departing Red Bull, and rivals Ferrari are preparing to take advantage.
The renowned Formula One car designer will leave the team he joined in 2006 at the start of next year, at an undefined period during “the first quarter of 2025”. This is despite the fact that he only signed a contract with Red Bull last season that would keep him there until the end of the season.
However, following conversations with his employers, his situation has altered. Newey would have had to wait until 2027 to join another team due to a non-compete clause in his prior contract, but with this new agreement, he may join another team this time next year.
Newey is 65, so retirement is an option. But the fact that he negotiated this agreement sends a strong signal that he wishes to stay in F1 – so what’s next for the most sought-after guy in the paddock?
In March, Aston Martin made a mega-money offer, with owner Lawrence Stroll particularly eager to have Newey join his project. The timing of his decision to leave Red Bull may indicate that the offer piqued his interest, although his most likely destination appears to be Italy.
Ferrari has made multiple attempts to seduce Newey in the past, but he has always managed to avoid temptation. Now that his children have grown up and Lewis Hamilton has joined the Scuderia, the prospect of joining has never seemed more tempting.
Because Newey has been at Red Bull throughout Hamilton’s Formula One career, the seven-time champion has never had the opportunity to collaborate with his compatriot. However, in 2022, he made it obvious that he admires and respects Newey’s achievements throughout his career, particularly with Red Bull.
Hamilton stated, “Adrian Newey doesn’t generally build bad cars.” My first McLaren championship car [in 2007] was a development of his car. He completed a thesis on ground-effect automobiles. It’s no wonder that he’s one of the few people who sketches these cars by hand. It’s not surprising what he’s accomplished and developed.”
And, in March of this year, he declined to officially invite Newey to join him at Maranello, telling reporters: “It’s not my decision, but I’m competing against him this year, so I can’t really talk about next year right now.”
Hamilton is a powerful weapon for Ferrari in its efforts to persuade Newey to join them. The Italians have not won an F1 title since the constructors’ championship in 2008, and as new design requirements take effect in 2026, they will believe Newey is the man to get them back on top.
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