Adrian Newey explains Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton rejection after...

Adrian Newey explains Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton rejection after…read more

Adrian Newey, the renowned Formula 1 car designer, has explained why he chose Aston Martin over other offers from top teams, including Ferrari and a personal invitation from Lewis Hamilton, ahead of his move to the Silverstone-based team. Speaking during his unveiling at Aston Martin’s new headquarters, Newey described his decision as “a very clear and natural choice” despite interest from several other teams in securing his services.

The 65-year-old, who has a remarkable career in F1 with 25 world titles (drivers’ and constructors’ combined), will begin his role at Aston Martin in March 2025, leading the technical department as a managing partner. His move to the team owned by billionaire Lawrence Stroll has been anticipated for some time, though Ferrari was considered a frontrunner, having tried multiple times in the past to recruit Newey from Red Bull Racing.

Lewis Hamilton, who will move to Ferrari next season, publicly asked Newey to join him on this new venture. Other teams also expressed interest, but Newey felt Aston Martin was the right fit. Reflecting on his decision, Newey said: “I was very flattered by the number of teams that approached me. I had discussions with some of them, but ultimately it was a very clear and natural choice to join Aston Martin.”

At the time of announcing his departure from Red Bull, many speculated that Newey might retire from the sport. Having accomplished so much in his career, retirement seemed like a logical next step. However, Newey clarified that while retirement was a possibility, his decision-making process involved taking a break to reflect and decide his future path.

Newey revealed that the decision to step away from Red Bull came during the Suzuka Grand Prix weekend in April. He said: “I decided to stop at Red Bull back in Suzuka. At that point, I genuinely didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I wanted to clear my mind, take stock, and enjoy a break without any specific plan in place. I was hoping for a spark to guide me in the right direction, and my wife Mandy played a significant role in those discussions. She was probably concerned that I might drive her crazy if I spent too much time at home.”

This break led Newey to realize that joining Aston Martin was the best choice for the next phase of his career. He will receive a significant financial package, with a base salary of £20 million per year, plus bonuses that could push his earnings close to £30 million annually. However, for team owner Lawrence Stroll, this investment is seen as a bargain given Newey’s expertise and his future involvement as a shareholder in the company.

Stroll emphasized the long-term benefits of bringing Newey into the fold, stating: “Adrian is a bargain. I’ve been in business for over 40 years, and I’ve never been more certain. It’s not just an investment; he’s a shareholder and a partner, which makes him the best addition to the company. We’re planning to be in this for the long haul together, so the value Adrian brings to this partnership makes it relatively inexpensive.”

Newey’s appointment is a significant boost for Aston Martin, a team that has shown rapid growth and ambition in recent seasons. The addition of such a highly regarded technical mind is expected to push the team further towards becoming a serious contender in the F1 championship. With Newey’s wealth of experience and proven success, Aston Martin is hoping to challenge the top teams in the coming years.

Newey’s move to Aston Martin comes at a pivotal time for both the team and the designer. After a legendary career at Red Bull and previous stints with Williams and McLaren, Newey’s decision to continue in F1 at Aston Martin signals a new chapter. His influence on the technical direction of the team, combined with Stroll’s financial backing, sets the stage for Aston Martin to compete at the highest level in the future.