In a move that sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey has chosen to leave Red Bull for Aston Martin, snubbing Ferrari due to a lack of trust in the Italian constructor. Newey, widely regarded as one of the greatest technical minds in the sport, was reportedly close to signing a lucrative $105 million contract with Ferrari but ultimately opted for Aston Martin.
The switch has left many speculating about the reasons behind his decision. Former Ferrari engineer Leo Turrini has revealed that Newey’s hesitation was rooted in distrust—not of Ferrari’s president, John Elkann, but of the team’s overall management and atmosphere. Despite Ferrari’s storied history and allure, Newey didn’t see a conducive environment in Maranello that would allow him to operate at his best.
“Adrian did not come to Maranello because he did not trust the historic Italian team,” said Turrini. “This is not a distrust towards President John Elkann; he simply did not see that suitable scenario to work at his best.”
Ferrari’s leadership inconsistencies have been a recurring issue over the last 16 years. The team’s frequent managerial changes have stifled its chances of championship success, with no titles since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007. Turrini stressed that Ferrari’s erratic leadership style contrasts sharply with Red Bull’s stability, where Christian Horner and Newey have remained pillars of consistency, even during less successful years.
“Even Red Bull lived through seven World Championships where they won nothing. But they did not change a comma. Horner has always remained in his place, ditto Newey. Only in this way can the achievement of the goal set by the racing team be approached,” Turrini explained.
Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin, rather than Ferrari, underscores the importance of a stable and supportive environment for success. Ferrari, meanwhile, continues to grapple with internal issues that have hindered its ability to challenge consistently for titles. Despite ambitious efforts in 2024, Ferrari’s inability to provide the right working conditions for top talent like Newey raises serious concerns about its future.
The team will need to improve its internal dynamics significantly if it hopes to end its 16-year title drought and avoid losing ground to rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Aston Martin. As the 2024 season unfolds, Ferrari faces an uphill battle not only against competitors but also against its own organizational flaws, which have left it on the back foot in recent years.
Without substantial changes, Ferrari risks continuing its quiet slide from championship contention—a scenario that even a figure as influential as Adrian Newey was unwilling to gamble on.
