Red Bull, Ferrari Play Down Sensational Newey Reports

F1 Grand Prix Of Italy
MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 03: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-23 and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 battle for track position during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 03, 2023 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309030246 // Usage for editorial use only //
F1 Grand Prix Of Italy
MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 03: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-23 and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 battle for track position during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 03, 2023 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309030246 // Usage for editorial use only //

Two top Formula 1 teams have played down sensational and widespread new reports suggesting Red Bull Racing is set to lose Adrian Newey.

From De Telegraaf in the Netherlands to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport and the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport – and a slew of other authoritative specialist sources – it is widely rumoured that star designer Newey, 65, has told Red Bull he is moving on.

The reports suggest the highly sought-after British technical mind, believed to be earning about $10 million at Red Bull annually, has grown impatient with the ongoing power struggle and Christian Horner scandal.

But amid Aston Martin’s reported huge-money offer, and even stronger speculation linking Newey with a move to Ferrari, it also appears that Newey is not happy about being shuffled aside at Red Bull for the RB17 hypercar project.

La Gazzetta correspondent Paolo Filisetti believes Aston Martin’s offer to Newey is worth a staggering $100 million in total.

A Red Bull spokesperson, however, told Agence France-Presse: “Adrian is under contract until at least the end of 2025 and we are not aware of him joining another team.”

One theory is that Newey is prepared to simply sit out 2025 altogether – and even then have to spend another full year after that on mandatory post-contract ‘gardening leave’.

The Newey rumours shifted into a high gear recently when he was spotted at the Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit for a track day in high performance cars.

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur dismissed the gossip with a joke: “If everyone who tests at Mugello sign with Ferrari, we’ll have to buy a bus to bring them to us.”

When asked about the Newey rumours on the F1 aan Tafel program, well-known Dutch motor racing insider Frans Verschuur said: “Adrian is only at Red Bull in name only.

“If Red Bull lets him go, they will at least save on wages. (Pierre) Wache is the man who actually builds the car, not Newey,” he added.

“His time has also passed,” Verschuur continued. “Just as I think (Lewis) Hamilton’s time has passed.”

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
6 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

Gm Formula1

FIA Approves GM Performance Power Units As Official Power Unit Supplier

The FIA has officially approved GM Performance Power Units LLC., ...
2200005 Fda New Season 2022 Preview 4f8abdb8 A1e3 4e83 8780 Df494a92d85b

Some Drivers Pay To Be In F1 Team Academies

A Russian teenager has given a fascinating insight into how ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Saudi Arabia Final Practice

Oscar Piastri Welcomes New ‘Ice-Boy’ Reputation

The Formula 1 world is contemplating the concept of the ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Saudi Arabia

Red Bull Could Have ‘Avoided’ Penalty – Ecclestone

Red Bull has definitively decided against challenging Max Verstappen's 5-second ...
Gp2406 164008 Onz2208

Zak Brown Opens Up About Hypothetical Driver Choices and Le Mans Ambitions

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says he would have found it ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle