Ferrari chose to shelve its interest in signing esteemed Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey as it didn’t want to become embroiled in a bidding war, according to reports.
Rumours suggest that Aston Martin has won the race to secure Newey’s coveted F1 services and an announcement could be made prior to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Red Bull announced earlier this season that Newey will depart the squad in Spring 2025 as he has opted to call him on his near two-decade association with the team.
Ferrari emerged as the initial leading contender to acquire Newey’s prized signature, with reports speculating that Team Principal Frederic Vasseur had met the Briton.
The Italian media claimed that discussions comprised Newey taking on a consultant role and remaining in the United Kingdom, as opposed to uprooting to Maranello.
However, Aston Martin remained in the running and the lucrative proposal that had been tabled – thought to be $100 million over three seasons – has attracted Newey.
Autosport has learned that Vasseur was given the budget required to sign Newey, but Ferrari has been reluctant to engage in a bidding war on such substantial terms.
With Ferrari declining the chance to continue talks and McLaren ruling out a return Aston Martin has been given a clear run at obtaining F1’s most decorated designer.
Despite enduring an arduous 2024 season that has seen it regress into the midfield pack, the Silverstone-based squad harbours ambitions to reach the pinnacle in F1.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has invested considerable sums once more in renovating the team’s headquarters to comprise a new state-of-the-art wind tunnel.
Stroll, who organised Newey being granted a private tour around its updated facilities, has revealed that his relationship with the F1 design guru goes back some time.
“Adrian and I have been not only talking for months, but actually for years,” Stroll told Bloomberg.
“Adrian is clearly the most talented and gifted figure in Formula 1, 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 1 team on the grid would feel exactly the same.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s attention has since switched to reorganising its technical department, with Vasseur having promised an announcement would arrive post-Monza.
The Italian marque losing erstwhile Technical Director Enrico Cardile to Aston Martin appears poised to have prompted a move to a three-pronged technical structure.
McLaren’s change to a similar setup last term has been a leading inspiration behind the revival which seems set to deliver the team the Constructors’ title this season.
Loic Serra, who will bring extensive experience once his switch from Mercedes is completed next month, is slated to complete Ferrari’s trio of Technical Director roles.
