Adrian Newey has decided not to join Ferrari and to remain in Great Britain. The most likely destinations are Aston Martin and McLaren, with Aston Martin taking the lead. This development follows a series of intense negotiations and speculation which saw Newey, assisted by Eddie Jordan, evaluate offers from several teams, including Ferrari. However, the designer appears to have favored the British options, with an official announcement expected in September. Ferrari will therefore have to get by without the English "genius".
Newey, excluding the Ferrari hypothesis
As reported by Roberto Chinchero on Motorsport.com, Newey would have decided to remain in Great Britain, definitively excluding the possibility of a transfer to Maranello. Despite the initial speculation and negotiations between Newey and Ferrari, the designer would have preferred to evaluate offers from English teams. Chinchero explains that Newey will not be able to make his choice official before the end of September, due to contractual constraints with Red Bull, but the rumors clearly indicate that his likely destinations are Aston Martin and McLaren, with the former having a clear advantage.
But what are the reasons behind this choice? Chinchero explains that the negotiations with Ferrari, despite having reached an advanced level, did not lead to a definitive agreement. Newey, assisted by Eddie Jordan, would have explored all available options, talking with at least three teams: Aston Martin, McLaren and Williams.
An important signal was the exit of Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of Aston Martin, with whom Newey had had conflicts in the past. This change further strengthened the hypothesis of his move to Aston Martin, especially after Newey's visit to the new Silverstone headquarters. On the contrary, the negotiation with McLaren remained more discreet, without clear signals on its evolution.
The implications of Newey's choices
For Ferrari, losing the chance to sign Adrian Newey represents a significant blow. The Maranello team, which has not won a constructors' world championship since 2008, had seen in Newey a figure capable of making a revolutionary technical contribution, as already demonstrated during his career with Red Bull, McLaren and Williams. His experience and expertise could have offered a significant competitive advantage, helping Ferrari close the gap on its main rivals.
Newey's refusal forces Ferrari to review its strategic plans. With Henry Cardile passed to Aston Martin, the Italian team must now find a new leader for its technical department. The priority therefore becomes identifying a high-profile figure who can lead the development of the Formula 1 project with the same vision and innovation that Newey would bring.
Furthermore, Ferrari will face the challenge of maintaining high motivation and confidence within the team. The news of Newey's failure to arrive could be seen as a negative signal, both internally and externally, impacting perceptions of the team's ability to attract the best talent in the industry. This could further complicate the search for a new technical leader on which Vasseur he prefers not to say too much.
