Ferrari and Mercedes are the likeliest destinations for Adrian Newey should he opt to remain in Formula 1 outside Red Bull, according to reports in the Italian media.
Rumours slate that Newey has decided to end his near two-decade association with Red Bull since becoming unsettled with the power struggle ensuing at the team.
The Briton, 65, is the most decorated designer to have existed in the series and has inspired the cars that have seen Red Bull secure 13 titles since his arrival in 2006.
But Newey’s services could become available in the circumstance that he exits Red Bull, with rumours rife last month that Aston Martin had tried to entice him across.
The Silverstone-based squad boasts a new state-of-the-art headquarters and has accompanied that with several top-line recruits, including Dan Fallows from Red Bull.
Billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, who is eager to turn Aston Martin into F1 title winners has been financing the venture and offered a $100 million proposal to Newey.
However, the lucrative bid spread over four terms was turned down, with Motorsport.com’s Italian sources stating that Newey is not seeking a full-time technical role.
Instead, it is touted that Newey would be interested in a consultant position where he is not obligated to attend each race, something that Ferrari could accommodate.
But the information that Newey’s Red Bull contract, which runs through 2025, contains clauses that add an extra 12 months to his gardening leave could thwart a deal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport insists Ferrari wants to benefit from Newey’s expertise for the brand-new technical regulations and would be willing to negotiate with Red Bull.
The Maranello-based squad, which will welcome Lewis Hamilton in 2025 to partner the incumbent Charles Leclerc, would also be prepared to match Aston’s contract.
Ferrari is not the sole team courting Newey, though, as Motorsport Italy suggests that he will hold conversations with Mercedes following next weekend’s Miami race.
According to F1 Insider, Verstappen could be tempted to switch to the marque but would require guarantees over its competitiveness and Red Bull engineers arriving.
There would be no more significant hire than that of Newey, who has been the blueprint behind the cars the Dutchman has driven to three consecutive championships.
Mercedes is set to lose Hamilton to Ferrari at the end of this season and has endured a disastrous start to the current campaign amid correlation issues with its W15.
However, Mercedes has responded with two recent acquisitions from Ferrari in Simone Resta and Enrico Sampo, who headed the Italian side’s simulation department.
But while Ferrari and Mercedes are arranging respective pitches to convince F1’s greatest-ever car designer to choose their team, retirement remains a feasible option.
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