Then a slowdown, right up to the current impasse. We can confirm that at the beginning of May Newey's arrival at Ferrari seemed resolved, according to more than competent sources in Maranello. The parties discussed in great detail, so much so that Ferrari gave the go-ahead to a list of requests made by the 65-year-old Englishman , which, as mentioned, also included confidants and defined Newey's operational perimeter. It was said at the time that only a “dramatic coup” by Newey could have blown up the table, which is always possible, but there was no sign of it.
Surprisingly, however, it wasn't Newey who hesitated - the designer considers Ferrari the crowning achievement of his career, and even at Goodwood he sat behind the wheel of Niki Lauda's 312B3, dedicating honeyed words to Mauro Forghieri - but rather there were some reservations on the part of Prancing Horse in giving Newey what was originally agreed.
It's not so much about money as it is about objectives and involvement in the project. Ferrari - initially favorably disposed - has taken its time, quibbling over the feasibility of the operation.
Other talks are progressing, other options are open. There are no closed doors at the moment, including Ferrari.
Newey's demands are certainly nothing new in the British engineer's stellar track record. In 1993 at Williams, he signed a contract extension with a clause stipulating his participation in the most important decisions of the team. In 1995, he further strengthened this position by writing on paper that he should be consulted on the selection of drivers, engine supply and technical battles with the FIA. And it was the appointment of Heinz-Harald Frentzen to replace Damon Hill for 1997 without Newey's knowledge that prompted his move to McLaren, as he recounts in his book. 'There was no room at the table for a third person other than Frank Williams and Patrick Head,' he notes with some disappointment.
In short, when we talk about Adrian Newey, we're not just talking about the most successful engineer in Formula 1 history, but a character with a strong desire to make an impact at all levels. This would be part of an already defined decision-making chain and a delicate balance of power. And it would put serious pressure on Ferrari, as he has won at virtually every team he has moved to since Leighton House.
However, Newey will only be able to officially announce his future in the fall, and will be able to start working with his new team from the second quarter of 2025.
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