Ferrari is making efforts to secure the services of Adrian Newey, current technical chief of Red Bull Formula 1, as soon as he becomes available in early 2025. Newey, who has been with Red Bull for almost two decades, is scheduled to leave the team in the first quarter of 2025. This is a significant development, as Newey’s contract, which was recently renegotiated and originally set to end in 2025, is believed to include a 12-month non-compete clause. If enforced, this would prevent Newey from joining another team until 2027, right at the beginning of a new set of technical regulations that he is known for effectively exploiting.
However, with the help of his close friend and manager Eddie Jordan, Newey has managed to secure an early exit from Red Bull, potentially allowing him to join another team in the early months of 2025. Although several teams would undoubtedly be interested in his services, Ferrari is considered the most attractive option if Newey decides to continue his career in Formula 1 and seek new challenges after Red Bull. Although no agreement has been confirmed, it has been reported that Newey had a meeting with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in London before the Miami Grand Prix. Vasseur, who did not comment on the matter, is believed to be actively working to make the move possible.
If Newey were to join Ferrari as soon as he became available, the team would already be well ahead in the development of their 2026 car. However, there would still be ample opportunity for Newey to utilize his expertise and influence the final design. One of Newey’s greatest abilities is his capacity to think outside the box, as demonstrated by his success in adapting to new formula changes. His understanding of the dynamic nature of performance factors and his willingness to challenge conventional thinking have often set his team apart from others and established a widely emulated model. Examples of this include the 1998 McLaren, the 2009 Red Bull, and the 2022 Red Bull. The upcoming 2026 car and engine regulations present another opportunity for Newey to make a significant impact.
The potential addition of Newey to Ferrari would be a major boost to a project that has been gaining significant momentum over the past year. Since taking over as team principal of Ferrari in 2023, Vasseur has received ample support from Ferrari president John Elkann. This support has already led to the high-profile signing of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes as a driver and the hiring of Mercedes performance director Loic Serra. When asked about the possibility of Newey joining Ferrari, Hamilton expressed enthusiasm, stating that he would love to see it happen. He praised Newey’s track record and described him as an exceptional talent. Hamilton believes that the addition of Newey would be a privilege and further strengthen Ferrari’s already impressive team.
