Engineering legend Adrian Newey is set to continue his F1 career with Ferrari say some sources. According to a media report, the 65-year-old has already signed a contract with Maranello. He could be earning a salary that many current top-flight drivers can only dream of.
The Daily Mail reported late on Thursday that Adrian Newey’s move from Red Bull to Ferrari for the 2025 season is perfect. The British newspaper claims to have learned from unnamed Italian sources that the engineer’s contract with the Red team has “already been signed”.
Another source made a similar statement to the paper, explaining: “If the ink isn’t dry yet, it will be soon.”.
Red Bull Racing, a stalwart of Formula One, is preparing for a significant change with the imminent departure of two of its most influential figures. The team recently announced that Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind its technical strategy and multiple championship wins, would be leaving by the spring of 2025.
This revelation was soon followed by reports that another key member of the team, Jonathan Wheatley, is also likely to leave, signalling the start of a significant exodus from the team.
End of an era with Newey’s departure
Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s esteemed Technical Director, has been a pillar of the team’s success over the years. His decision to leave not only marks the end of an era, but also highlights underlying tensions within the team. Red Bull Racing confirmed last Wednesday that Newey would be stepping down from his role, a move that has particularly unsettled motorsport director Dr Helmut Marko.
“This is a significant loss for Red Bull Racing,” Marko told Krone. He lauded Newey’s profound influence on the team’s success, noting, “He wasn’t always directly involved in day-to-day operations, but he mastered the complex aerodynamics and mechanical grip of the entire car.”
The transition heralds significant changes within Red Bull and underlines the profound impact Newey’s departure will have on the team’s future.
Newey’s next chapter
Although Newey is stepping back from the F1 limelight, he’s not retiring from his pioneering efforts. He will lead the final stages of development of the RB17 hypercar as part of the Red Bull Technology Group. This strategic shift will allow the team to better navigate Formula One’s financial constraints and reallocate resources, while continuing to benefit from Newey’s unrivalled expertise in aerodynamics and car design.
Newey is enthusiastic about his new role and sees it as a chance to extend his F1 legacy through new challenges. His involvement in the hypercar project is expected to indirectly benefit Red Bull Racing, particularly in areas of technological overlap.
Concerns over team stability
The impact of Newey’s departure goes beyond technical contributions. Jos Verstappen, father of three-time world champion Max Verstappen, expressed grave concerns about the team’s stability in a recent interview with Dutch national newspaper Telegraaf.
“The team is in danger of falling apart. I was afraid of that at the beginning of the year,” Verstappen said, highlighting concerns over the possible departure of other key figures and the overall cohesiveness of the team. These concerns raise doubts as to whether Red Bull will continue to provide the right environment for his son Max.
Potential for further departures
Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s sporting director, is another key figure contemplating a major career change. Known for his deep understanding of FIA regulations and his role in shaping one of the most efficient pit crews in the sport, Wheatley is reportedly eyeing a top team management position elsewhere in F1.
His departure would follow that of Newey, potentially causing further instability within the team.
The potential departures have sparked debate within the F1 community about the future of Red Bull Racing. Commenting on the situation, McLaren team principal Zak Brown said: “I think the things that are happening there are a little bit destabilising.”
He described Newey’s decision as “the first domino to fall”, suggesting that further changes are likely as other top talent reconsider their positions within the team.
Arian Newey hints at continued F1 career
If Newey’s move to Ferrari comes to fruition, would not come as much of a surprise. Speculation has been rife for some time. Just this week, the 65-year-old announced that he would “probably” continue his career after a short break.
According to the Daily Mail, a move to the Scuderia could pay dividends for Newey in two ways. On the one hand, he would be taking on perhaps the biggest challenge in F1 at the biggest team. And secondly, it would obviously be a job that would pay handsomely.
Another alternative team would be Aston Martin, who would likely pay out a similar salary but wouldn’t be in Italy. TJ13 believes still that this is a likely destination for Newey.
Mega salary at Ferrari
There is speculation that the designer will receive another pay rise. Newey is currently expected to earn 15 million pounds (around 17.5 million euros) a year. At Ferrari, he would have “every chance of securing a big pay rise”, the British newspaper speculates, without giving an exact figure.
If the figures currently in circulation are correct, Newey would already be one of the highest paid employees in the Formula One world. According to several industry websites, there are currently only six drivers on the grid whose salaries are higher than Newey’s. An elite circle that the design guru could join as early as 2025.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
