Former Formula 1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle has said that Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull for a Formula 1 rival team would be a “double whammy” to the rest.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Newey has elected to egress Red Bull after almost two decades service in which he has designed cars that have won 13 titles.
The Briton, 65, is the sport’s most successful individual in his respective field and he will not be short of suitors should he communicate his desire to depart Red Bull.
Ferrari’s interest in Newey is certain to be intensified having been turned down on multiple occasions, while Aston Martin is slated to have issued a lucrative proposal.
But aside from acquiring the track record that Newey retains, Brundle believes taking his expertise from Red Bull and other competitors would duplicate the advantage.
Writing on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Brundle posted: “Teams with the funds and resource will have been courting Adrian Newey for a while.
“If and when he becomes available it’s a double whammy for any team, they’ll have access to his experience and genius, and it stops another team having him.”
Red Bull’s response to the increasing reports was to state it was “unaware” that Newey could be interested in a move elsewhere and nothing has been communicated.
Newey’s possible desire to pursue a new venture in the twilight of his career could be hindered by the contents of his Red Bull deal through 2025 containing clauses.
Autosport has revealed non-compete options are included that add an additional 12 months to Newey’s gardening leave, meaning he would be unavailable until 2027.
However, Italian publication La Gazzetta della Sport has published that Ferrari would be willing to spend a substantial sum to negotiate an earlier release with Red Bull.
Ferrari has been on an aggressive recruitment drive since Frederic Vasseur was appointed to the helm, with Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache touted as a target.
Meanwhile, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann sanctioned the signing of Lewis Hamilton on a multi-term deal, with the seven-time champion to move to Maranello in 2025.
