Soon together at Ferrari?
Hamilton comments on “very exciting” rumors surrounding Newey
May 2, 2024, 10:22 p.m
Will the Formula 1 record world champion from Mercedes and the design mastermind from Red Bull soon be working in the same team? Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next season has already been confirmed. Now there are also rumors that Adrian Newey will soon be hired.
Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton is looking forward to a possible collaboration with star designer Adrian Newey at Ferrari. The idea was “very, very exciting,” said the 39-year-old in the run-up to the Miami Grand Prix. Newey, Red Bull’s mastermind, announced on Wednesday that he would be leaving the team around world champion Max Verstappen in the first quarter of 2025.
“Adrian is well known, he has a great story, did a great job – no matter where he was,” said Hamilton, who is leaving Mercedes after this season and moving to Ferrari. The Scuderia is reportedly trying very hard to get Newey; according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 65-year-old has already met with Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur in London. “No matter which team Adrian chooses, it will benefit enormously from it,” emphasized the Briton Hamilton: “He has fantastic knowledge, it would be very exciting to work with him.”
“Much more than a designer”
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, regretted the impending departure of his “good friend” Newey. “It’s not ideal to lose someone like Adrian,” emphasized the Mexican: “He’s much more than a designer, he can influence the setup and strategy on race weekends. He’s a very strong person, very smart, a hard worker .”
Newey had a “tremendous influence” on the team, but change was a part of life. “He wants to do something different, even without him Red Bull is in a very good position,” said Perez: “It’s never just one person, it’s always about the team. Christian (Horner, team boss, editor’s note) does a good job of holding the next generation responsible.”