Adrian Newey, one of the most influential figures in Formula 1, is set to leave Red Bull for Aston Martin in early 2025. This revelation came from former F1 driver turned broadcaster, Robert Doornbos, who shared details about Newey’s lucrative new contract on social media.
Doornbos, citing reports from Italy’s AutoSprint, stated that Newey’s deal with Aston Martin is worth $100 million over three years, doubling his previous salary at Red Bull. The agreement will see Newey having significant input in technical decisions at Aston Martin, a move likely influenced by the team’s advanced technology and state-of-the-art factory completed last year. An official announcement is expected in September.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has reflected on the Scuderia’s strategic shifts over the past year. He emphasized that Ferrari has adopted a more aggressive approach, taking bigger risks in various areas. Vasseur credits this new attitude as a pivotal change, inspired by Red Bull’s bold strategies. “We became more aggressive,” Vasseur said, highlighting areas like fuel management, weight, cooling, and car setup where Ferrari has stepped out of its comfort zone.
In contrast, Mercedes, which introduced a revolutionary ‘zero-sidepod’ concept in 2022 and stuck with it in 2023, has decided to abandon the idea for 2024. Andrew Shovlin, a key figure at Mercedes, acknowledged that with today’s knowledge, the team could have made the concept work. Shovlin explained that all teams have undergone significant learning phases, suggesting that with the insights they now possess, the ‘zeropod’ could have been a success.
Red Bull’s chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, provided insights into Max Verstappen’s demanding communication style. Monaghan remarked that Verstappen sets a high bar for both himself and the team, which can result in blunt radio messages when expectations are not met. This candid communication is seen as part of Verstappen’s drive for excellence, pushing the team to continually strive for peak performance.
Additionally, the FIA has introduced changes to the regulations starting in 2026, allowing teams to choose their own suppliers for prescribed parts. While this change is not expected to significantly impact development costs or competitiveness, it does open the door for new commercial opportunities for the teams.
As the F1 world gears up for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, teams are making strategic moves and reflecting on past decisions. Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull to Aston Martin marks a significant shift, while Ferrari’s bold new approach and Mercedes’ reflections on their design concepts underscore the ever-evolving nature of the sport. With regulatory changes on the horizon, the landscape of F1 continues to be one of innovation and adaptation.
