Damon Hill has chimed in on the ongoing speculation that legendary car designer Adrian Newey is gearing up for a major move to Aston Martin, further stirring the pot with some intriguing insights.
Adrian Newey, the iconic chief technical officer at Red Bull, is in the midst of a soft gardening leave, with his future beyond his tenure at the Milton Keynes-based squad remaining veiled in mystery. However, the whispers within the F1 circles are growing louder, suggesting a new chapter at Aston Martin for Newey. This speculation has been further fueled by a recent broadcast by former F1 driver Robert Doornbos, who claimed that Newey had inked a $100 million deal over three years with Aston Martin, helmed by Lawrence Stroll.
Adding more layers to this rumor, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson mentioned during the British Grand Prix that Newey has been house hunting in Oxfordshire, rather than in Italy, which was initially linked to a potential Ferrari move. It’s worth noting that Aston Martin, currently positioned in the midfield of F1, has seen fluctuating performances. The much-anticipated AMR24 has not entirely lived up to its predecessor, the AMR23, which had a more competitive stint last year.
Under Stroll’s stewardship since 2020, Aston Martin has seen substantial investments in infrastructure, including new facilities like a factory, simulator, and wind tunnel nearing completion. With significant financial resources backing them, the team is capable of offering the kind of premium salary Newey commands, which conveniently falls outside the F1 budget cap.
Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion, recently discussed the possibility of Newey joining Aston Martin on the F1 Nation podcast. Hill noted that despite the team’s ongoing transitional phase, the completion of their new facilities could significantly elevate their capabilities. He hinted that Newey’s potential move might be motivated by Aston Martin’s resources and room for growth. According to Hill, this mix of factors could make Aston Martin an appealing destination for Newey, who might be looking for a new environment where he can bring his extensive experience without the constant stress.
Hill relayed information from an ‘independent’ source suggesting that Newey’s move to Aston Martin is becoming increasingly likely. He shared, ‘I have no intel other than someone who has nothing to do with friends of the Neweys, nothing to do with that. It’s completely independent of anything who came to me with a bit of information that suggested there was something on the pipeline on that front.’
Despite his public statements about feeling ‘a bit tired’ and considering a break from F1, it seems Newey’s passion for the sport remains undiminished. As Hill further explained, ‘I think he wants to continue in Formula 1, but I think he wants to be able to do it at his leisure… It’s stressful because he’s competitive. So he will put pressure on himself and, after a bit, you can only do that for so long.’
Adding to the discussion, Jeremy Clarkson opined that Newey’s competitive spirit might drive him to be deeply involved if he commits to Aston Martin, saying, ‘if he does it, I’m convinced he’ll do it flat-out because that’s the only way he knows,’ a sentiment Hill echoed.
Hill also pointed out that among all the interested teams – McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes – Aston Martin appears to have the ideal combination of resources and untapped potential that could entice Newey. With other teams either well-established or cooling in interest, Aston Martin stands out as the perfect blend of challenge and opportunity for the veteran designer.
As the F1 community buzzes with speculation, Damon Hill’s insights provide compelling reasons to believe that Adrian Newey could soon be bringing his legendary design prowess to Aston Martin. If the rumors hold true, this move could mark an exciting new chapter for both Newey and his potential new team.
