SUMMARY
- Internal tensions at Red Bull may prompt Adrian Newey's move to Ferrari, given recent reports.
- Reports suggest progress in Newey's talks with Ferrari, fueled by recent events at Red Bull.
Amidst the internal tensions brewing in Red Bull, latest reports reveal that Adrian Newey might make a move to Ferrari. Earlier in the 2024 season, Lewis Hamilton officially announced his move to Prancing Horse in 2025. This singular event has disrupted the flow of internal politics, while the numerous scandals that plague Red Bull have been pushing away some of the key figures in the team.
The future leadership of Red Bull is a subject of debate while team principal Christian Horner is still under scrutiny. The 50-year-old boss has been accused of sexual misconduct earlier on and consequently, an investigation was launched against him. However, the accuser was not satisfied with Red Bull’s findings in the inquiry and lodged a complaint while a chat leak created havoc in the paddock.
Will tensions at Red Bull prompt Adrian Newey to join Ferrari soon?
Questions loom over Horner’s and Newey’s tenure with the team. Previously, it was suggested that their contracts were intertwined, indicating that if one departed, the other might follow suit. Despite any official statement, Newey has hinted at the possibility of leaving the Milton Keynes-based team, highlighting his admiration for Ferrari and admitting to considering a switch in the past.
🚨| JUST IN:
Talks between Adrian Newey and Ferrari have now reached an advanced stage!
[ 📺 BILD TV ] | #F1 #Ferrari #AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/CKRfJln6Ol
— Ferrari Focus (@Scuderiascoop) March 20, 2024
German media house, Bild TV has reported that the Red Bull engineer has made progress in his talks with the Maranello-based outfit. Rekindled rumors concerning Newey’s future have been caused by recent events inside Red Bull including the fact that his wife liked a post implying that he regrets not working with Ferrari.
Furthermore, it is said that Frederic Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, is interested in a long-term plan to renovate his team. This could potentially lead to the hiring of Adrian Newey. It has been asserted that Vasseur was in touch with other Red Bull technical staff, suggesting an attempt to strengthen Ferrari’s technical division.
Ex-F1 boss claims Newey is not ‘irreplaceable’
Luis Perez-Sala, a former F1 driver and team principal, emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their talent, is replaceable at Red Bull. Newey has been the mastermind behind some of the best cars created by the reigning champions ever since its inception in the early 2000s. His latest commendable work was the RB19 which dominated the 2023 season and earned them the constructors’ championship trophy.
Adrian Newey is a real target for Ferrari’s top management, with the Italian team using the conflicts at Red Bull to lure the star aerodynamicist.
The Prancing Horse is reportedly willing to offer Newey a ‘blank check’ and would be ready to fully satisfy Newey ‘s wishes.#F1… pic.twitter.com/ixRoZI0zTb
— 🏎 Formula 1 Daily (@Formula1_Daily) March 12, 2024
However, according to Sala, “The amazing thing is that he [Newey] has stayed ahead of everyone else for so many years. I usually say that Max is the goal-scorer, but Newey and the rest of the team provide the assists. However, no one is irreplaceable, no matter how good they are. I’ve always believed more in the team than in individual leadership and Red Bull is making a difference because of all the people who work there.”
Sala acknowledges the impact of Newey and his gradual advancement from the late 1980s. Off-track issues, including an internal probe into Horner’s conduct, have put Red Bull in the negative spotlight. Despite rumors, sources suggest that Newey will most likely remain on the team. Nonetheless, if the internal tensions go on, it might get the Briton an incentive to make the move.