Adrian Newey has been backed to join forces with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari once he leaves Red Bull after the 2024 season. The legendary F1 designer insists he has “no plans” beyond this year but he is claimed to have already held discussions with a Ferrari representative regarding a blockbuster switch.
Hamilton, who will leave Mercedes for Maranello next season, has said it would be a “privilege” to work with Newey, who has designed title-winning cars for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.
The 65-year-old has spent 19 years at Red Bull and is expected to win a 13th career Constructors’ Championship before moving on to new pastures.
He has secured an early release from his position as chief technical officer, and Ferrari are reportedly pushing to add him to a dream team alongside Fred Vasseur, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton.
F1 expert Craig Slater has told Sky Sports that Ferrari is Newey’s “likeliest” destination once he walks away from Red Bull before April 1 next year.
“I’ve spoken to a dozen people who know Adrian pretty well, and people connected to Ferrari, and they all think that there is a genuine potential for that to happen,” Slater explained.
“Adrian, as I understand, has not made up his mind what he’s doing yet. I do know there was a meeting.
“I can’t confirm it was with Fred Vasseur, but Adrian did meet a Ferrari representative in London to discuss potentially going there, but we are still in the early stages yet.”
Aston Martin are reportedly willing to table a big-money offer to lure Newey to the team and level-up Laurence Stroll’s project.
However, Slater has poured cold water over suggestions that that will be the path he takes, again aiming focus on Ferrari.
He added: “Plenty of people know where he’s not going. 30 people are ready to tell me it is not Aston Martin, that does not fit with him.
“[Aston Martin wouldn’t fit] possibly because of the nature of the dynamic there. I mean, it’s very much Laurence Stroll’s project.
“Maybe it doesn’t have the historical allure either for him at this time in his career. I think Ferrari is the obvious place, isn’t it?”
Max Verstappen is in a seventh consecutive pole position for the Miami Grand Prix. Red Bull are aiming to win a fifth race out of six as part of a dominant start to their latest title defence.
