F1 team chief drops Newey BOMBSHELL...

F1 team chief drops Newey BOMBSHELL…read more

The Formula 1 paddock was rocked by the announcement that legendary designer Adrian Newey would be leaving Red Bull in 2024. Newey’s departure was met with widespread speculation over his next move, with several top teams believed to be vying for his expertise. For a time, it was widely suggested that Newey could be joining Ferrari, where he would partner with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. However, these rumors eventually faded, and Aston Martin emerged as the team to secure his signature.

Aston Martin confirmed that Newey would join them as their Managing Technical Partner in March 2025, a significant move that signals the team’s ambitions to improve its technical capabilities and performance. As one of the most renowned designers in F1 history, Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull sent shockwaves through the sport, with teams scrambling to secure his talents. Mercedes, in particular, was heavily linked with a move for Newey, further adding to the intrigue surrounding his future.

However, it appears not every team was actively involved in the race to land the engineering icon. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Alpine’s Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore made a surprising revelation about the team’s pursuit of Newey. Briatore admitted that Alpine had never engaged in serious discussions with the designer about joining the French outfit, despite the widespread speculation.

Briatore explained that while Newey’s unparalleled skills as a designer would be highly valuable, Alpine simply wasn’t ready to bring him onboard at this time. “You have to ask him. Adrian is an artist. We are not ready for someone like him,” Briatore said. The implication here is that Alpine, as a team, is still in the process of developing its infrastructure and technical capabilities to fully leverage the talents of a designer of Newey’s caliber.

The comments also hinted at the possibility of revisiting the opportunity in the future. Briatore suggested that Alpine could be in a better position to attract Newey in two or three years’ time, once the team has further evolved and built a stronger foundation. “Maybe we will be ready in two or three years. That’s why I never spoke to him seriously,” Briatore stated, suggesting that Alpine recognizes the need for a more solid structure before considering such a high-profile signing.

This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing narrative surrounding Newey’s move from Red Bull. While other teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin were seen as the primary contenders for his services, Alpine’s acknowledgment that they were not yet ready for Newey is a rare moment of honesty in the often secretive world of Formula 1. It shows a level of self-awareness from the team, highlighting that sometimes, even with a designer of Newey’s stature, timing and readiness are key factors in making such a high-profile signing work.

Newey’s departure from Red Bull marks the end of an era at the team. As the architect behind many of their most successful cars, his influence on their dominant run in recent seasons cannot be overstated. The news of his departure prompted immediate speculation about what the future might hold for Red Bull, with many questioning how they would maintain their technical superiority without one of the best designers in the sport.

As for Newey, his move to Aston Martin represents a new challenge. Aston Martin has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, and securing Newey’s expertise signals their intention to compete with the top teams in the sport. The team’s ambitions were already evident in their strong performance in 2023, and Newey’s arrival is expected to provide a further boost to their efforts to break into the upper echelons of F1.

In the meantime, Alpine will continue to focus on their own development. While the team may not be ready to bring in someone of Newey’s stature right now, their plans for the future are clearly in motion. With Briatore’s candid admission, it’s clear that Alpine is thinking long-term, and in a few years, they may be ready to re-enter the race for Newey’s signature, once the team has further strengthened its position in F1.

In summary, while Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin has caused a stir in the F1 paddock, Alpine’s approach to the situation offers an interesting perspective. By acknowledging that they are not yet ready for a designer of Newey’s pedigree, they show a level of strategic thinking that could pay off in the future, potentially setting the stage for a high-profile signing down the line.