Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has revealed that conversations with Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey broke down due to a contrast in ideas on his potential role.
Aston Martin is poised to reveal this week that it has won the race to obtain Newey’s coveted services on a lucrative multi-term deal once he departs Red Bull in 2025.
However, Ferrari had emerged as the initial leading contender when it was announced that Newey would be leaving his long-standing role at Red Bull earlier this term.
Ferrari has attempted to sign Newey on multiple occasions, but his decision to exit Red Bull heightened the expectation that a move would transpire on this occasion.
A deal to coincide with Lewis Hamilton’s imminent arrival won’t materialise, though, as reports have claimed that Ferrari was reluctant to get engaged in a bidding war.
But according to Vasseur, who has confirmed that he spoke with Newey, the discussions did not progress as there was a disagreement on the Briton’s responsibilities.
“Newey? There were discussions, yes,” Vasseur told French newspaper L’Equipe. “But probably his ideas were different from what I had in mind for him.
“Maybe one day we will find common ground. But as I said, it is not an individual that changes the outcome of a team. The group is always stronger than the individual.”
Newey will be integrated into a star-studded technical team at Aston Martin which will include ex-Ferrari Chassis Technical Director Enrico Cardile, who starts in 2025.
“I had a good relationship with him and, on a personal level, I miss him,” Vasseur expressed when asked about Cardile’s egress.
Cardile’s immediate egress to go on gardening leave prior to his Aston Martin move has prompted Vasseur to implement a restructuring in Ferrari’s technical division.
The Italian marque announced last week that Loic Serra, who will begin work next month as he switches over from Mercedes, has been appointed Technical Director.
“His [Serra] strength is that we are talking about an experienced man who has spent a lot of time at the highest level,” Vasseur explained.
Meanwhile, Jerome d’Ambrosio will also vacate Mercedes as Ferrari welcomes him as Vasseur’s Deputy Team Principal and leader of its Driver Academy programme.
He added: “For me it was important to have someone with his knowledge. In the racing world, he has been a driver, team principal, CEO,” Vasseur concluded.
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