Adrian Newey on the grid
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle narrowed the grid down to four teams that have the resources needed to make a move for Adrian Newey.
Newey will be a free agent in the first quarter of 2025 after his shock Red Bull departure was confirmed earlier this month, with interest in his services expected to be high considering Red Bull’s dominance of the F1 ground effect era.
Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren Ferrari in the hunt for Adrian Newey?
Nevertheless, Brundle cautioned against assuming that Newey can effortlessly bring success to any team. He emphasized that only those teams equipped with the necessary resources to fully exploit Newey’s groundbreaking ideas will reap the rewards. This significantly limits the potential beneficiaries to Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Ferrari.
Brundle stated during his appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast that having Adrian Newey is pointless unless one possesses substantial wealth and resources.
There is no point in placing him in an office if you do not provide him with the necessary resources and funding to implement his ideas.
“All the teams express their contentment, firmly stating, ‘No, no, we are genuinely pleased with our current state, thank you very much.’ This sentiment arises due to two main reasons: A) the uncertainty of acquiring him and B) the desire to maintain harmony within their existing team.”
“Without a doubt, Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Ferrari will be actively seeking ways to acquire [Newey].”
It’s a double-edged sword because acquiring Adrian’s experience and skills means you have him, while others don’t. Consequently, everyone will be fiercely competing to obtain him, and if they’re not, they should be.
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Whether Newey wants another F1 project ultimately determines the outcome. Although he hasn’t ruled out a return to the series, he currently has no intentions for one.
Brundle is confident that Newey will resurface in another team on the grid, considering that the upcoming 2026 regulations are perfectly suited to Adrian’s expertise.
Brundle replied, “I believe he will continue,” when asked about his thoughts on Newey’s future. “He possesses a strong competitive spirit.”
“He’s a friend of mine, Adrian, a man of great principles. However, I believe he may grow a touch bored when considering the fact that Rory Byrne, at 80 years old, still holds a contract with Ferrari, residing in Thailand or some other location.”
“The 2026 regulations are tailor-made for Adrian, showcasing his expertise in mastering intricate active aerodynamics. However, it is important to acknowledge the contributions of other brilliant individuals such as Pierre Wache, the Red Bull technical director.”
“In my inaugural grand prix, the call sheet featured a total of 12 individuals, among them were Ken and Norah Tyrrell, along with the two drivers.”
This implies that there were a total of eight individuals responsible for operating two Formula 1 cars. In contrast, Mercedes recently disclosed that their team consists of nearly 1,300 individuals.
“There is a large crowd present, and it would be incorrect to claim that a single individual can have a significant impact. However, I can assure you that Adrian managed to contribute a few crucial elements and come up with ideas that truly made a difference. It was his expertise, intuition, and understanding of what was necessary that played a role.”
“I would find it surprising if, in the future, he doesn’t establish some form of association with a Formula 1 team. In fact, I would be utterly astonished.”
After concluding his participation in the Red Bull Formula 1 team, Newey will shift his attention towards the RB17 hypercar until his official departure.
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