Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has predicted that design legend Adrian Newey will end up at Ferrari, provided he decides to continue in Formula 1 with another squad.
Red Bull revealed earlier this month that Newey will vacate his role as Chief Technical Officer in 2025 to end his almost two-decade association with the Austrian side.
The Briton, who is the series’ most storied designer, explained his desire to pursue “new challenges” and has not ruled out heading to a rival team to prolong his career.
Newey is reported to have proposals from both Aston Martin and Ferrari on the table, while Williams boss James Vowles has expressed a clear interest in his services.
Despite rumours stating that Newey was not interested in Aston Martin, Marko had teased that he could be Silverstone-bound with a “great colour like green” comment.
“What colour do I see Newey in the future?” Marko said as per Total Motorsport.
“I think the red clashes a bit with the dark blue. But I think anything is possible with a great colour like green.”
However, Marko has since claimed that he was “misunderstood” and has now reversed his stance to assert that he imagines Ferrari will land Newey’s prized signature.
When Marko’s Aston Martin proposition was put to him, he responded: “I was obviously misunderstood. I would rather guess red.”
While Marko has placed his faith in Red Bull’s existing technical team, he has admitted that Newey’s lost presence will be felt upon the regulation reset coming in 2026.
“Newey is a legend. He is the best F1 designer and he was at his best when the regulations were changed, because he always knows how to best utilise the new interpretations,” said Marko.
“And with Newey you have a figurehead. With him on board, it was much easier to get young engineers because it was an honour for them to work with him.
“On the other hand, our technical team is very broadly based with a mixture of experienced people like Pierre Wache [Technical Director] and younger people.
“When there were problems, Newey was often the first to come up with a solution.”
However, Marko has echoed what other people within the team have said and dampened the notion that Newey’s impending exit could lead to an exodus at Red Bull.
“With Newey, the myth will go, but I don’t think we’ll have a technical slump because of it,” he added.
“Now we have to concentrate on the World Championship and get the team back on track.”
Can F1 please get rid of Helmut Marco. He’s well past his use by date and his opinions are as boring as bat droppings.