Why Ferrari didn't sign F1 design genius Adrian Newey in huge Lewis Hamilton blow
09/05/2024 09:14 AM
Formula One design genius Adrian Newey is set to sign for Aston Martin in a major blow for Ferrari and Sir Lewis Hamilton.
Back in May, Newey announced he was leaving Red Bull after 18 highly successful years as their chief technical officer.
Without question the greatest car designer in F1 history, his machines have helped Williams, McLaren and Red Bull to win 13 drivers' titles and 12 constructors' titles.
As such, there was a great clamour to hire the 65-year-old who will officially depart Christian Horner’s team at the start of 2025.
Ferrari initially looked to be leading the race for his signature and Newey had previously expressed regret at never having worked for the Scuderia or with their new driver Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion urged his new team to make the dream partnership a reality, but it is now widely-reported that Aston Martin have secured Newey’s services with an announcement to be made next week.
The move will see him link up with two-time champion Fernando Alonso, the other driver Newey had expressed disappointment in never having worked with.
According to Autosport, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur did everything in his power to hire Newey and had secured the budget necessary, with Newey reportedly earning around £10million-a-year at Red Bull.
There were concerns over whether he would have been willing to move to Italy but Ferrari had that covered, with their plan to hire Newey as a consultant who would work from the UK and liaise with their Maranello HQ.
But in the end Aston Martin outspent their rivals, reportedly offering the revered designer $100m (£76m) over three years plus bonuses, with Ferrari not willing to get into a bidding war.
Team owner Lawrence Stroll has spared no expense in an attempt to transform Aston Martin into a title challenging team and with the appointment of Newey they will be expected to rival Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari in the coming years.
Stroll, whose son Lance also races for the team, was instrumental in convincing Newey to join his project, personally giving the designer a secret tour of their brand new Silverstone factory.
‘Adrian and I have been not only talking for months, but actually for years,’ Stroll recently said when asked about the reports regarding Newey.
‘Adrian is clearly the most talented and gifted figure in Formula One, based on his track record and history, in addition to being a hell of a gentleman.
‘So I'd be very excited for Adrian to join our team, as I think every other Formula One team on the grid would feel exactly the same.’
After a great 2023, this season has been a backward step for Aston Martin who look set to finish fifth in the standings, far off the top four, with the next race in Azerbaijan on September 15.
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