Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles has revealed that he is attempting to recruit Adrian Newey back to the squad once his spell with Red Bull concludes in 2025.
This week, Red Bull announced that Newey will leave next term to bring the curtain down on an almost two-decade spell which has comprised 13 F1 championships.
The Briton is the sport’s most famed designer with 25 titles to his name and has been linked with a whole host of suitors, the most notable of which has been Ferrari.
Reports in the Italian media have written that Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has talked with Newey to discuss terms on a potential super consultant position.
While Aston Martin’s rumoured proposal has been said to not interest Newey, Ferrari’s hopes of acquiring the design guru could be threatened amid Williams’ interest.
“I’ve known Adrian for a while anyway, and I spoke to him Friday. I’m sure we’ll be talking again, very shortly as well,” Vowles told Autosport.
“He is an icon of our sport. There is no doubt about it.
“Every team he’s been to since Williams has been championship material. And that’s not a coincidence, that is just simply the effect he has on the sport.
“It would be remiss of me to not be talking to him. It is as simple as that.”
A move to Williams would see Newei return to the team that he worked with during a period in the 1990s, where he was the inspiration behind four separate title wins.
Newey, 65, would then move on to McLaren and helped the Woking-based squad claim multiple championships prior to exiting in 2005 and then switching to Red Bull.
But while he would welcome a Newey-Williams union, Vowles has noted that his conversations with Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer have been tentative at this stage.
“I think we as Williams have a huge amount of work to do,” he said. “Adrian or not, our task is enormous – and Adrian wouldn’t make it easier, but that’s the whole point.
“I think we also have to be sensible about it. Our conversations with him have been very light.
“But even so, are we in discussions? Yes. Very light discussions. But to answer your question, would it be a dream team? Yes.”
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