Shock as F1 guru tipped for $150m Ferrari snub

Legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey looks set to reject red wine and pasta in favour of deep fried fish and chips, snubbing Ferrari to sign with British marque Aston Martin.
After confirmation of his exit from Red Bull in May, Ferrari was considered a logical landing pad for the aerodynamic wizard, whose cars have won 13 drivers and 12 constructors titles.
Newey had also previously expressed a desire to work both for the Italian brand, and with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will move to the team next season.
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Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer of Red Bull Racing. Mark Thompson via Getty Images
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was even given the green light by executives to hire Newey.
Aston Martin emerged as a front runner to secure his signature after reports emerged in August Newey had been given a personal tour of the team’s factory and headquarters by billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll.
On Wednesday night (AEST), motorsport.com reported Newey had signed an eye-watering deal with Aston Martin worth $150 million over three years, plus bonuses.
The publication reported Ferrari had lost interest due to an unwillingness to enter a bidding war with Stroll, who has a net worth of nearly $6 billion.
Billionair Lawrence Stroll (left) owns the Aston Martin team, and his son Lance (right) is one of the team’s drivers. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Confirmation of the deal is expected before next weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Stroll, whose son Lance drives for the team alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, told Bloomberg the move was years in the making.
“Adrian and I have been not only talking for months, but actually for years,” he said.
“Adrian is clearly the most talented and gifted figure in Formula 1, based on his track record and history, in addition to being a hell of a gentleman.
“So I’d be very excited for Adrian to join our team, as I think every other Formula 1 team on the grid would feel exactly the same.”
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso at the Italian Grand Prix. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Aston Martin sit fifth in the 2024 constructor’s standings, but languish 218 behind fourth-placed Mercedes.
Regarded as one of, if not the greatest designer the sport has ever seen, Newey’s signature is made all the more valuable due to the massive regulations overhaul that will be introduced for the 2026 season.
Newey won championships after similarly massive regulation changes for the 1998 and 2009 seasons.
Newey had also been linked with a return to the Williams team with whom he won his first five constructor’s and four driver’s championships in the early to mid-90s.
Newey has designed the cars Max Verstappen has driven to each of his three championships. Getty
He moved to McLaren for 1997, where he won another two driver’s championships and the 1998 constructor’s championship.
Williams haven’t come close to winning a championship since his departure, and McLaren have won only the one title – the 2008 driver’s championship with Lewis Hamilton – although they’re expected to win at least the constructor’s title this season.
He joined Red Bull ahead of its second season in the sport in 2006, and has remained there ever since. He’s delivered the team each of its seven drivers and six constructors championships.