Hamilton says his focus remains on Ferrari move despite...

Hamilton says his focus remains on Ferrari move despite…read more

Lewis Hamilton has emphasized that his focus remains unchanged on his upcoming move to Ferrari, despite Aston Martin’s successful signing of renowned Formula One designer Adrian Newey. Newey, 65, is set to join Aston Martin next March as their Managing Technical Partner and shareholder, after spending a long and fruitful period with Red Bull, where he contributed to the team’s numerous championship victories. While Ferrari had also expressed interest in recruiting Newey, Hamilton stated that his ambitions remain intact even without the star designer onboard.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton addressed the rumors surrounding Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin, noting that while it would have been great to work with the sport’s leading designer, his decision to move didn’t affect his personal outlook or plans.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of two championship-winning teams that didn’t have Adrian Newey. So, while any team would be lucky to have him, my focus remains the same. At the end of the day, Adrian had to do what was best for him. His choice doesn’t change my goals or my motivation with my next step, which is still 100% focused on Ferrari and what we can achieve,” Hamilton explained.

Newey, often considered one of the most influential and successful designers in Formula One history, has overseen the creation of cars that have gone on to win 25 drivers’ and constructors’ titles with teams like Williams, McLaren, and most recently, Red Bull. His 2023 Red Bull car was especially dominant, securing 21 wins out of 22 races, making it one of the most successful machines in F1 history.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been one of the most talked-about developments in the 2024 season, and while there was speculation that Newey might join him there, the star driver was quick to downplay any disappointment at the missed opportunity. Instead, he reiterated his confidence in Ferrari’s ability to compete at the highest level, regardless of whether Newey was involved.

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen also weighed in on Newey’s move to Aston Martin, sharing that while the team’s recent struggles weren’t a direct result of the designer’s departure, Newey’s influence on the sport and its teams remained unparalleled.

“Adrian and I always had a good understanding, and I sent him a message when the news broke, even though I was already aware of his decision,” Verstappen said. “I’m happy for him because it’s a new challenge. Of course, I would have loved for him to stay with us, but you can’t overturn these things. Sometimes people need to seek new opportunities.”

Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull marks the end of an era at the team where he was responsible for designing several championship-winning cars. However, Verstappen noted that while Newey’s departure was significant, it wasn’t the main concern for him or Red Bull at this point in the season. Instead, Verstappen stressed that his focus was on immediate racing issues, not potential future moves, including a hypothetical switch to Aston Martin.

“That’s something to think about in the future, but not right now. There are other things to worry about at the moment,” Verstappen added.

Newey’s move to Aston Martin has sparked considerable interest within the F1 community, as the British team continues to grow and solidify its position as a serious competitor. His arrival signals a strong commitment from Aston Martin to elevate their technical development, and the team will no doubt hope that Newey’s experience and expertise will help them challenge the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes in the coming seasons.

For Hamilton, however, the focus remains on making the most of his upcoming partnership with Ferrari, as he looks to add to his seven world titles. Although Newey’s decision might have seemed like a blow to Ferrari’s hopes, Hamilton’s confidence in his new team’s potential appears undiminished, as he prepares for one of the most high-profile moves in recent F1 history.