Newey Demands Specific Terms for Ferrari Move

Mercedes chief Wolff eyes Verstappen, while Newey sets terms for a potential Ferrari transition.

Adrian Newey’s salary and working conditions demands are complicating negotiations currently underway between Ferrari and Aston Martin F1 and the Red Bull designer.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Newey is prepared to make a significant move to Italy to head the technical department at Scuderia, but insists on bringing approximately twenty of his most trusted colleagues to ease the transition from England to Italy.

This requirement poses a challenge as it must be accommodated within Ferrari’s capped budget constraints.

Aston Martin is also well-positioned to secure Newey’s signature.

“I’ve worked with Adrian for a long time,” Aston Martin’s technical director Dan Fallows stated in Hungary on Friday.

“He is a tremendous asset for any team. It remains to be seen where he will end up.”

However, it appears Newey will definitely not be joining Mercedes.

“No,” confirmed team boss Toto Wolff in Hungary.

“We remain united as a team – through good times and bad. I know what I have in James Allison and his technical team.”

Nevertheless, Wolff is keeping a spot open for Max Verstappen, although he acknowledges that the Dutchman is not ready to make the switch just yet.

“We have time, until November. By then, we will demonstrate that our progress is real and confirm it on as many tracks as possible.”

Dr. Helmut Marko, advisor to Red Bull, believes it is “perfectly normal” for Wolff to pursue Verstappen.

“Max guarantees success. He’s the only driver who makes a difference. He could have won races this season with a Ferrari, Mercedes, or McLaren. If he wasn’t already under contract, we would be trying to sign him as well.”

By suggesting Verstappen could win with Mercedes F1, does Marko inadvertently support a transfer? Only a smile was offered in response before he added: “The situation in our team is gradually stabilizing, and Max is managing it with authority.”

“And if necessary, he retreats to his motorhome and lives in his own world. But it has also become clear to him that the team must remain united if it wishes to continue succeeding, and he has made that very clear.”