Is it possible for Adrian Newey to make a comeback to Formula 1 alongside Aston Martin?
Adrian Newey will become a free agent ahead of the new regulation cycle, so what are the famed designer’s main options?
If Adrian Newey, a highly respected figure in the field, decides to stay in F1, his involvement with another team could prove to be a game-changer due to the upcoming changes in chassis, aerodynamics, and power units set for F1 2026.
Adrian Newey confirms departure from Red Bull
Newey and Red Bull have officially confirmed the long-standing rumors on Wednesday. The British designer is set to depart from Milton Keynes by the end of the first quarter in 2025.
Newey, who served as Red Bull’s chief technology officer, previously supervised all technical operations conducted by the technology group located at the Milton Keynes campus. However, he will no longer be involved in the Formula 1 aspect of the company, starting immediately.
Instead, Newey will focus on the automotive project, Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar, which he considers his brainchild. The hypercar is expected to commence production next year, possibly shortly after Newey’s departure from the company.
Although Newey will make appearances at a few Grands Prix this season, such as the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, his tenure at the F1 team is essentially over. The next 12 months will serve as his ‘gardening leave’ and prepare him for complete freedom by mid-2025.
If Newey chooses to join another team right away, he will have a few months to make an impact on the development of the 2026 car for that team. All teams are given permission to start testing and simulating aerodynamics and CFD from January 1st, 2025. This implies that Newey would be joining the team a few months into that cycle, possibly too late to have a significant role in the development of the 2026 car.
However, now that Red Bull is no longer part of his future, what possibilities is Newey considering for his next move?
Is Ferrari the team most likely to tempt Adrian Newey?
Fred Vasseur’s successful acquisition of Lewis Hamilton for the team starting from 2025, coupled with the recent addition of a lucrative title sponsor, HP, positions Ferrari as the frontrunner to secure Newey’s services before the 2026 season.
The perfect recipe is complete. A fearless team leader at Ferrari, undeterred by the inevitable political challenges, alongside two incredibly thrilling drivers in Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Maranello boasts exceptional facilities, recently enhanced, while the team yearns for a championship triumph that has eluded them since 2008.
Furthermore, unlike Red Bull, Ferrari has a higher probability, in theory, of correctly implementing the new engine regulations upon the initial launch of the 2026 power units and their installation in a vehicle.
Red Bull’s efforts should not be disregarded, but considering Ferrari’s long-standing expertise in manufacturing their own power units and their track record of rarely producing subpar ones, their experience with hybrid power units over the past decade puts them in a better position to maximize the potential of the new regulations compared to Red Bull.
In the past, Newey acknowledged declining Ferrari’s offers on multiple occasions. However, one significant factor behind this decision was his desire to prioritize his young family’s well-being and keep them in the UK.
Now that his children are grown and Newey is getting closer to retirement, the idea of relocating to Italy’s warmer climate doesn’t seem so undesirable anymore. The prospect of having ample funds, taking on the immense task of reviving Ferrari’s prestigious brand, and doing it all while enjoying the serenity of the Italian countryside and collaborating with Hamilton before his illustrious career concludes doesn’t sound too shabby.
Can Lawrence Stroll tempt Adrian Newey into Aston Martin?
If Newey decides against moving to Italy from the UK, there are numerous British teams eager to offer him substantial monetary incentives to join their ranks. McLaren and Williams are among the top contenders, and it is widely recognized that Newey shares an excellent rapport with McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
However, McLaren has recently established a fresh technical setup and even parted ways with David Sanchez, a former Ferrari member who was dissatisfied with his assigned role. Considering Newey’s previous success with McLaren, would he find joy in taking on the challenge of returning to Woking?
Likewise, Williams, once a dominant force in the 1990s, has now significantly declined. Although James Vowles has led improvements, it is undeniable that the team based in Grove is still several years away from achieving the level of success that Newey is used to, even with substantial investment.
Aston Martin has emerged as a result of Lawrence Stroll’s substantial investment, transforming the Silverstone factory into a top-notch F1 production facility. Securing Fernando Alonso for a new deal, encompassing both racing and a post-racing career, would be a significant advantage for Newey. He has expressed his desire to collaborate with the talented Spaniard in the past.
All the necessary facilities, sufficient funds, and a driver whom Newey admires are present. Recent reports suggest that he has declined a lucrative offer from Stroll, implying that this specific opportunity may already be futile.
The decision for Aston Martin to switch to Red Bull will largely depend on Newey’s personal opinions about Stroll and the project’s level of commitment. Additionally, Newey’s choice may also be influenced by his desire to stick with Honda, considering the Japanese manufacturer will be transitioning from Red Bull to Aston Martin after the upcoming season.
PlanetF1.com recommends
Red Bull RB17: The £5million hypercar with huge Adrian Newey influence
Ranked: The top 10 most successful Adrian Newey Formula 1 car designs
Might Toto Wolff coax Adrian Newey to spearhead Mercedes?
With the ongoing tensions between Mercedes and Red Bull, it appears highly unlikely, almost absurd, from a theatrical standpoint, that Newey would depart from Red Bull just to join the Brackley-based team.
However, in reality, the past rivalries in sports should not be a rational hindrance for Newey to join Mercedes if he can reach an agreement with Toto Wolff. The team possesses ample financial resources, top-notch facilities, and is currently in a phase of reconstruction that might be appealing to Newey.
Nonetheless, Mercedes has recently rekindled its partnership with James Allison, the only car designer of our time who can rival Newey’s reputation. Just 12 months ago, Allison resumed his position as technical director, replacing Mike Elliott, and it is crucial to afford him the necessary time to steer the team back in the right direction.
Despite being responsible for the designs of some of Mercedes’ top-performing machines, Allison may not have the same level of consistency as Newey. Therefore, bringing in the former Red Bull man alongside Allison might not result in a successful dynamic. Furthermore, replacing Allison with Newey would be a drastic and potentially ineffective move, considering Newey’s limited time to make an impact before the start of the 2026 season.
A sabbatical or retirement?
However, at present, Newey will not have an F1 project after he departs from the Red Bull Milton Keynes campus next year for the last time. Regardless of whether he never returns to his drawing board, he can reflect on a remarkable F1 career filled with nothing but pride.
Throughout his journey, he has single-handedly established a remarkable legacy. It all started in the early days when he caught the attention of Harvey Postlethwaite, eventually persuading him to offer him a job. From there, he achieved great success in the United States with IndyCar, had stints with Leyton House, Williams, McLaren, and ultimately spent almost two decades with Red Bull.
Over the course of 44 years at the top level, Newey’s presence has consistently led to prosperity wherever he has been. This remarkable track record of success, however, comes with an equally remarkable amount of pressure.
Furthermore, it should be noted that Formula 1 has undergone significant transformations throughout the years, including recent times. When Newey first became involved in F1, the sport had already moved away from the extravagant and rebellious nature it possessed during the 1970s. However, it was still a considerable distance away from the highly corporate entity it has become today. Presently, F1 is primarily seen as a product, a form of show business that captivates audiences worldwide, where the racing itself often takes a secondary role to the overall entertainment value.
Does the old-school Newey still desire to be a part of that world? At 66 years old, would anyone fault him if he desired to take a break and do nothing for a few years? Perhaps spend some leisure time on his boat, sailing around the globe, pondering whether or not to take on another demanding position. He also doesn’t have to worry about finding a job – any team would eagerly hire him if he showed interest in joining them.
Certainly, Newey could consider Rory Byrne as the blueprint for the lifestyle he aspires to lead. Following his official retirement as the chief designer of Ferrari in 2006, Byrne has continued to contribute as a consultant and advisor for the Scuderia. Remarkably, even at the age of 80, he remains actively involved in the development of the 2022 and ’23 car designs.
In contrast, Newey is still young and has many more years to contribute to F1, should he choose to do so. Eddie Jordan, a close friend and manager, has strongly implied that Newey will likely take a break from F1 for the time being.
He reminded them that he has been under continuous pressure while being in Red Bull.
“If he decides to take a break and go on a leisurely journey, it would be completely understandable to everyone.”
I believe it is more probable to pursue that path rather than exploring any other potential career options.
“Things have undergone a subtle transformation. He has aged a little and the remarkable aspect is that this team is fantastic. He has had exceptional drivers working with him. The personnel there is also outstanding, which suggests that he should and probably will consider a shift in lifestyle for the future.”
The chosen date for Newey and Red Bull to announce his departure from the team he considered his “family” is significant. It falls on May 1st, which marks the exact 30-year anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s tragic death in a Newey-designed Williams car. This moment has weighed heavily on Newey’s conscience for a considerable period.
As one grows older, they tend to engage in more contemplation and often experience a decrease in their competitive drive. Given the timing of Newey’s confirmation about his current F1 employment ending, coinciding with a significant personal anniversary, it wouldn’t be surprising if he chooses not to pursue another full-time role.
Read Next: The fall of the Red Bull empire? What Newey’s exit means for Horner and Verstappen
