Why Ferrari must target genius Adrian Newey to win with Lewis Hamilton
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Adrian Newey is an essential figure at Red Bull due to his unmatched understanding of Formula 1's complex mechanics. Christian Horner recruited Newey in 2005 after a deliberate effort to establish a relationship with him. This move signified Red Bull's commitment to long-term success in the sport.
Amazingly, after half a decade had passed, the leading producer of energy drinks and their Formula One racing team accomplished their initial global victory with Sebastian Vettel. Additionally, six more successes ensued in the aftermath due largely to Newey's exceptional abilities.
Thursday's breaking news, which has not been officially confirmed, is that Newey is apparently looking to leave Red Bull after almost two decades with the team. This is a major event in the world of Formula One. The recent controversy involving Horner and accusations of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague has led to a lot of team politics being exposed. Newey is reportedly feeling disturbed by all of this and is now interested in exploring other options.
There are still many uncertainties. Newey has unofficially expressed his desire to leave, but Red Bull intends to try and retain him since they have signed him on a contract worth £10 million per year up to 2025. If he does depart, he may have to wait for a year before joining another team. This implies that his impact on a new crew may not be evident until a year or two after that.
If Red Bull has parted ways with their head technical officer, it's a major setback for the team that's been leading the pack. This departure creates a pool of possibilities for the other competing teams.
Many people consider Newey to be the best car designer in the history of F1. He prefers traditional methods and creates his new designs using a good old pencil and notebook. It's well-known that he observes Red Bull's opponents' cars during the pre-race chaos on the grid. Newey became famous during the Williams' prosperous phase in the early 90s and later joined McLaren in 1997, where he celebrated a win with Mika Hakkinen. Throughout his thirty years in F1, he accomplished twelve constructors' championships.
He has extensive and unparalleled expertise in current regulations, which he gained through his dissertation on ground-effect aerodynamics while studying at Southampton University. None of the Oxbridge-educated engineers in the paddock can match his vast and distinctive knowledge.
In 2022, Mercedes and some other teams had a problem with their cars bouncing up and down, but Red Bull didn't have this issue. Newey was smart and fixed the car early on. Verstappen has been doing amazingly well lately, winning 38 out of the last 49 races, and this is all thanks to Newey's approach.
Undeniably, the RB18, RB19, and RB20, which he created this year, are some of the most powerful cars in Formula 1.
It is highly intriguing to consider what he will do next, given that he is in his mid-60s and may want to retire early. Many rumors suggest that he may join Ferrari, and the idea of teaming up with Lewis Hamilton seemed like a far-fetched daydream just a few months ago but is now a realistic option.
Newey had declined three offers from Ferrari in the past and has never been a part of their team. He mentioned having an "emotional" regret last year for not working for the prestigious outfit of motorsport. In 1993, he had the opportunity but didn't want to shift to Italy. Currently, there are rumors that his wife, Amanda, is searching for accommodations in Maranello. It was reported that Newey was seen at the Bologna airport a few weeks ago.
Ferrari seems like the obvious choice for Newey to start working for. Hamilton and Newey have never collaborated together before. If Hamilton was hesitant to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, having Newey on board would erase any doubts he might have had. A partnership between Ferrari and Newey would be an ideal situation for both the team and the sport.
The head of Ferrari, John Elkann, and the leader of their team, Fred Vasseur, need to put in extraordinary effort to recruit Newey in the upcoming months. Acquiring Newey's expertise may be the key to improving their performance and returning to the top of their field.
However, the story is not finished yet. Aston Martin is currently experiencing growth with Fernando Alonso and significant financial investment from owner Lawrence Stroll. They have shown interest and put forward a lucrative offer to Newey. If he decides to remain in the UK, Aston Martin would be the clear choice. However, Horner could still convince him to stay with Red Bull. On the other hand, a final farewell to Ferrari, coinciding with Hamilton's last performance, would be the ideal romantic outcome.
No matter where Newey ends up, his impact won't be noticed right away. Red Bull is predicted to win the championship this year and probably in 2025 as well. However, when new regulations take effect in 2026, it could bring significant changes to the field, and Newey's involvement will be crucial. If he can take advantage of the situation like he did in the last regulation change in 2022, whoever has him will benefit a great deal. It's a waiting game to see what will occur next.
