Adrian Newey set to join Aston Martin F1 team
Adrian Newey, a renowned figure in the world of Formula 1 design, is on the verge of officially joining the Aston Martin F1 team. The announcement is expected to be made ahead of next week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This development follows months of speculation about Newey's future after he revealed his departure from Red Bull earlier this year. According to F1, Newey has 23 titles to his name (11 Driver, 12 Constructor).
Aston Martin outbids Ferrari for Newey's expertise
Initially, Ferrari was considered the most likely destination for Newey following his departure from Red Bull. However, it soon became apparent that Aston Martin had emerged as the frontrunner in securing his services. The team's part-owner and executive chairman Lawrence Stroll is said to have personally persuaded Newey to join the team, further tipping the scales in favor of Aston Martin.
Newey's secret visit to Aston Martin's factory
As per the report, a seecret visit to the team's Silverstone factory in June is thought to have greatly impacted Newey's decision. Stroll has invested heavily in building a cutting-edge facility for the team, including a new wind tunnel that will soon be operational. This commitment to innovation and long-term goals may have played a key role in attracting Newey.
Aston Martin's silence and Newey's future reveal
Despite the buzz, Aston Martin has not issued any statement regarding Newey's potential move. However, an announcement about his future was expected this month due to a clause in his Red Bull Racing exit agreement stipulating when he could disclose his plans. As per Motorsport.com, sources have indicated that a September date was agreed upon for Newey to publicly share his next steps.
Aston Martin's recruitment drive and team restructuring
The anticipated confirmation of Newey's move coincides with Aston Martin's significant recruitment drive to secure top engineering talent. The team has already announced that former Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell will replace Martin Whitmarsh as Group CEO in October. Additionally, ex-Ferrari chassis technical director Enrico Cardile has been recruited to enhance the team's design capabilities.
Team boss Mike Krack addresses restructuring concerns
With Dan Fallows, another former Red Bull colleague of Newey's, already serving as technical director at Aston Martin, questions have been raised about potential challenges in creating a cohesive structure. Addressing these concerns at the recent Dutch Grand Prix, team boss Mike Krack stated that it wouldn't be a significant issue to resolve. He emphasized the need for effort to integrate and adjust their structure to maximize output from their star talent.
Aston Martin's 2024 season so far
After the Italian GP Aston Martin stands fifth in the constructors championship with 74 points from their 16 races this season. Aston Martin's drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll currently stand ninth and tenth with 50 and 24 points respectively in the world championship race. Both of the drivers have not yet won any races or grabbed any podiums this season. The team's highest finish this season was in the Saudi Arabian GP, with Alonso finishing fifth.
