Pedro de la Rosa reveals why Adrian Newey chose Aston Martin over Ferrari
09/11/2024 07:41 AM
After months of speculation, it has been officially confirmed that Adrian Newey will join Aston Martin, marking a pivotal moment for the British team. The legendary Formula 1 designer reportedly signed a contract worth £30m annually with Canadian billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, who unveiled Adrian Newey's arrival at Aston Martin's cutting-edge Silverstone facility.
This high-profile acquisition came after Adrian Newey received substantial offers from several teams, including a late bid from Alpine and interest from his former team, Williams. Ferrari also engaged in lengthy negotiations with Adrian Newey, even offering him a role tailored to his preferences. However, team principal Frederic Vasseur ultimately blocked the deal due to Adrian Newey's contractual demands.
On the F1 Nation podcast, former F1 driver and ex-Ferrari test driver Pedro de la Rosa shed light on why Adrian Newey chose Aston Martin over the other teams vying for his expertise. Pedro de la Rosa emphasized the team’s long-term vision and its appeal as both a brand and a potential on-track contender.
Adrian Newey's manager, Eddie Jordan, confirmed that nearly every team on the grid had pursued the former Red Bull team member, given his unparalleled success in Formula 1, which includes 12 Drivers’ and 13 Constructors’ Championships with Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull.
In his new role, the legendary British car designer will join Aston Martin as a managing technical partner and shareholder, as the team eyes a future valuation in the billions following significant investment from major funds. De la Rosa believes Newey was drawn to Aston Martin's potential to become a dominant force both in Formula 1 and as a luxury brand.
"We know Adrian, he's a winner. He really wants to win badly everything he does. In a way, he has like a racing driver mentality. The fact that he has decided for our team is because he saw that the ingredients to win are there. The resources, the people, the team, the existing people, they were all in place, you know, and otherwise he wouldn't have joined." – Pedro de la Rosa emphasized.
Adrian Newey revealed that Lawrence Stroll's relentless dedication and passion for building a championship-winning team played a key role in his decision to join Aston Martin. Describing Stroll’s commitment as “endearing and persuasive,” Newey said it left a lasting impression on him.
Newey will officially begin his role with Aston Martin in March, just a few months after teams are allowed to start work on their 2026 cars in January. That year will be critical for Aston Martin, as they transition to Honda power units, aiming to develop a cohesive package that unites both the chassis and engine into a competitive force.
The team has already strengthened its technical lineup with the addition of Andy Cowell from Mercedes High Performance Powertrains and former Red Bull aerodynamicist Dan Fallows, enhancing an already impressive roster.
Another exciting aspect for Newey is the chance to collaborate with Fernando Alonso, who, at 45, is still pushing for a third World Championship to add to his two previous titles. This partnership has been a long-held ambition for Newey and could help shape Aston Martin’s future success.
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