Two teams in tug-of-war for Adrian Newey but Lewis Hamilton link-up...

Two teams in tug-of-war for Adrian Newey but Lewis Hamilton link-up…read more.

The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing with speculation about the future of legendary car designer Adrian Newey. While the dream of a partnership between Newey and Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari has been ruled out, the competition to secure Newey’s expertise is far from over. According to F1.com, Ferrari, once the frontrunners to acquire Newey, are now out of the race, leaving Aston Martin and Alpine as the two teams locked in a battle for his services.

Ferrari initially seemed poised to sign Newey, the outgoing Chief Technology Officer at Red Bull, sparking excitement about a potential link-up with Hamilton, who is expected to join the Scuderia in 2025. Newey has previously expressed regret over never having worked with the seven-time world champion, which made the prospect of their collaboration even more tantalizing. However, despite Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, it appears that Newey will not be heading to Maranello. Sources indicate that Ferrari is no longer in contention for his signature.

The attention now shifts to Aston Martin and Alpine, who are both eager to land Newey. Aston Martin, led by team owner Lawrence Stroll, is believed to be leading the chase. The team has undergone significant changes recently, including the appointment of former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell as CEO and ex-Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile as Chief Technical Officer. These moves, coupled with Aston Martin’s new state-of-the-art Silverstone headquarters and their partnership with Honda from 2026, have made the team an attractive destination for Newey.

At the recent Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Stroll was questioned by Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle about the possibility of signing Newey. Although Stroll remained tight-lipped, Aston Martin’s ambitious plans and recent high-profile appointments suggest that they are serious contenders in the race to secure Newey’s services. The allure of working with a resurgent team like Aston Martin, which is positioning itself as a potential title contender in the coming years, could be enough to sway Newey’s decision.

However, Aston Martin faces stiff competition from Alpine, another team with big aspirations and a growing profile in the sport. Flavio Briatore, who was recently appointed as the executive advisor to Alpine, is reportedly keen on bringing Newey to Enstone. Briatore, known for his bold and ambitious moves in F1, has previously hinted that signing Newey would be a dream come true. “Everything is possible,” Briatore said when asked about the possibility of securing F1’s most successful car designer.

Alpine, which is Renault’s works team, has been gradually building its infrastructure and competitive edge in recent years. The team’s leadership believes that securing a talent like Newey could be the final piece in their puzzle to challenge the top teams in the sport. With Briatore pulling the strings behind the scenes, Alpine is expected to make a strong push to bring Newey on board.

Newey’s availability from 2025 presents a significant opportunity for both Aston Martin and Alpine to gain an edge in the sport’s development war. With new regulations set to come into effect in 2026, having Newey in charge of designing the car for that season could be a game-changer for whichever team secures his services. His influence on a team’s car design could prove to be the difference between challenging for championships and languishing in the midfield.

McLaren, another team that had been linked with Newey, has reportedly ruled themselves out of the race, while Mercedes never emerged as a serious contender for his signature. With the competition now seemingly down to Aston Martin and Alpine, the F1 world will be watching closely to see where Newey decides to take his talents next.

As the battle for Newey’s services intensifies, both Aston Martin and Alpine are pulling out all the stops to persuade him to join their respective projects. Whoever emerges victorious in this tug-of-war could gain a significant advantage in the coming years, potentially propelling them to the front of the grid and into championship contention.