Fernando Alonso has responded to rumors that, following Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull, his Aston Martin team is stepping its efforts to sign him for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull stated in May that Newey would be leaving the company in the early part of 2025. Shortly after, the team decided to concentrate on their hypercar project and cease production on the F1 car for the rest of the current season.
According to Sky Sports News, Newey has already had an approach from Ferrari, which was his first choice when it came to a car last month.
Four teams are vying for Newey’s signature: Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. It is believed that Newey made a covert visit to the Aston Martin facility while he considers his options.
“I have read the news and rumors, but they are coming from the same websites and source,” Alonso, who earlier this year inked a new contract tying him to Aston Martin through the end of 2026, stated.
“One week ago [reports said] he was at Ferrari, so rumours are rumours.”
When asked how he would persuade Newey to join the squad, Alonso replied, “That’s between me and him.”Yes, a few weeks ago Newey paid a visit to the Aston Martin factory.
This was practically an event held behind closed doors. Aston Martin did not want word of this visit to get out, so they kept the workers at a distance.
“Newey visited the school, had a meeting with the team owner, Lawrence Stroll, and they talked about personal matters. According to what I understand, Aston Martin is able to satisfy Newey’s individual requirements—despite the fact that they are quite high.
“Aston Martin thinks that Newey is still looking for his next Formula One position.
“He may choose to join Mercedes, McLaren, or Ferrari, three further teams.
Mercedes and Newey haven’t been mentioned much together previously, but from what I gather, they are considering signing the best designer in Formula One.
“McLaren, the company where Newey formerly worked, is showing a fresh interest in seeing if they can get him back there. And then there’s Ferrari; let’s see, though I’ve heard from a few paddock insiders that their chances of pairing Newey with Hamilton have diminished recently.
“Contractually Newey cannot announce that he has signed for another team until September, however we have seen fluidity in his contract situation before.”
Newey joined Aston Martin, but why?
After nine rounds, Aston Martin is currently fifth in the constructors’ championship, having withdrawn from the race since the middle of the previous year.
When the first season of the new technical regulations begins in 2026, Honda will equip Aston Martin with a power unit. Alonso has previously stated that the team has the best project for the future.
The Silverstone-based team’s goal to be successful in Formula One is demonstrated by the opening of a new plant and wind tunnel last year.
In 2022, they signed Dan Fallows from Red Bull, who helped Sebastian Vettel win four straight championships from 2010 to 2013. If Newey joins Aston Martin, he will be reunited with Fallows.
While joining Ferrari would force Newey to relocate to Italy, the 65-year-old may weigh this option against staying in the UK if he signed with Aston Martin.
Lance Stroll remarked, “I think everyone in this paddock wants Adrian Newey.”
“I get a lot of information, much of it from the media! I learned last week that he was visiting Ferrari and is now coming to visit us. He’s heading to Williams the following week.
“He’s a legend of the sport and has more championships than anyone in this paddock.”
He went on to say this about what Aston Martin has to offer Newey: “It’s a really fascinating factory. Although the team is young, the project is highly exciting.”
“In the end, Adrian Newey is the only one who knows what he will do. Given his extreme competitiveness, I truly believed him when he stated he wasn’t sure what he would do next but wasn’t done with Formula One when it was reported he was leaving Red Bull.
Sincerely, I believe he’s weighing his alternatives. There’s a romantic part of Ferrari that makes us wish to see Lewis Hamilton, Newey, and Ferrari together. However, given Aston Martin is headquartered in the UK and he has spent the majority of his career there since returning from America in the 1980s, perhaps that is where he is headed.”
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