(L to R): Adrian Newey (GBR), Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing, with Jeremy Clarkson (GBR) and Zak Brown (USA), CEO of McLaren, on the grid. 03.02.2024. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Race Day.
Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has suggested that Red Bull designer Adrian Newey consider returning to McLaren for his next career move. Reports indicate that Newey has decided to step down from his long-held position as Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull, a role he has held since 2006.
Last month, it was reported that Aston Martin had offered Newey an attractive financial package, and there were also rumors of a possible move to Ferrari. However, Hill believes that reuniting with McLaren, where Newey previously worked from 1997 to 2006, would be a promising opportunity.
“I can’t help but wonder what would happen if Adrian considered joining McLaren,” Hill commented on Sky Sports F1. “They have already shown they are heading in the right direction and are definitely a team on the rise.”
During his time at McLaren, Newey designed the successful MP4/13 car, which won both championships in 1998, and the MP4/14, which helped Mika Hakkinen secure the drivers’ title in the following season. However, McLaren struggled to replicate that success in the early 2000s due to Ferrari’s dominance, which led to Newey’s dissatisfaction with the team’s structured approach.
Since then, McLaren has undergone significant changes, with the departure of Ron Dennis and the appointment of Andrea Stella as Team Principal by CEO Zak Brown in December 2022. Stella’s leadership has played a crucial role in McLaren’s resurgence as the team has moved from a period of struggle to once again become a competitive force in the sport.
Despite a slow start under Stella’s guidance, McLaren’s mid-season updates propelled them to podiums. Lando Norris, one of McLaren’s drivers, has already achieved podiums in both Australia and China this season, showcasing the team’s improved performance.
