Adrian Newey faces the most difficult decision of his F1 career. The technical guru is divided between Ferrari and Aston Martin’s equally lucrative contract offers for 2025. Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Maranello has complicated Newey’s choice further. He now has to choose between designing cars for the 7-time champion or AMR’s 2-time champion Fernando Alonso, both of whom are Newey’s ‘dream’ drivers to work with. But it looks like the 65-year-old has already made a decision.

Hamilton and Alonso are in the twilight years of their F1 career. New contracts for both the champs begin in 2025 and will, most likely, be the last one they ever sign. So Newey can only facilitate one driver’s championship dream. Initially, he gave preference to the 7x champion’s next destination. However, recent reports suggest that the Frederic Vasseur-led team denied his request for a remote advisory/consultant role, emphasizing that his presence in Italy would be necessary. This has given Aston Martin the top hand in the negotiation game.

In an interview with The Times, Newey’s latest admission has added spice to this report. Speaking about his favorite drivers, he said, “There are some drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who I would have liked to work with,” reiterating his words from 2023. “But until now, there has never been the right place or the right time to come together.” The words “until now” take a new meaning with the recent development of the Ferrari rejection in the background.

Newey also revealed his admiration for Nigel Mansell (ex-Williams driver) and Max Verstappen for creating a pleasurable work environment. As for his future, such subtle clues are all the Briton can provide to the eager fans at this moment. His Red Bull exit agreement prevents him from signing and announcing an official deal before September this year. Till then, he continues to work on the RB17 Hypercar, which will ensure a longer partnership with Red Bull.

Adrian Newey confirms longer involvement with Red Bull

Adrian Newey served Red Bull’s F1 dreams for 19 years before calling it quits in May this year. The RB17 Hypercar, which he began working on in 2021, was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. Equipped with a 1200 HP V10 engine, Christian Horner described it as the most “extreme track car of all time”.

In an exclusive with F1.com, Newey confirmed further involvement in the production process and so forth. “I’ve really put a lot of time into this in terms of evenings and weekends, trying to fit it in with F1. I certainly want to see it through to completion,” he added, displaying his zeal to complete this passion project. “The shareholders at Red Bull, Christian (Horner), everybody else is very supportive of that. So, I will still be involved on this side of things.”

50 RB17s shining in all their glory around the globe will be a fitting farewell for Newey. The Hypercar, priced at $7.8 Million, could also be Red Bull’s entry into the 24 Hrs of Le Mans. Max Verstappen has always dreamt of driving in the prestigious endurance race. What better way than to do it in his close ally’s best creation ever?