The bombshell of recent days that has kept the Formula 1 world on edge is Adrian Newey’s alleged departure from Red Bull. The British car designer is said to have confirmed to some colleagues his desire to leave the Austrian side, but has not yet disclosed his future direction. All signs seem to point to Maranello for two reasons: the intention of the Ferrari top management to offer Adrian Newey the terms and conditions he wishes and also the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, which can erase Ferrari’s “bad name” caused by other underappreciated engineers in Maranello, such as Aldo Costa and James Allison.
Some interesting insights come from Leo Turrini’s recent post on his official blog. The Italian journalist and well-known Ferrari insider wrote:
“For months and months, I have been writing that John Elkann is trying to bring Mr. Adrian Newey to Italy. Ergo, it’s an open secret (the intention, eh). I add that from the beginning I also defined the Lewis Hamilton operation as a magnet (without an accent!) to attract top engineers to Maranello. I know that for years highly qualified technicians have rejected Ferrari’s offers. For reasons that, simplifying, have names and surnames: Aldo Costa, James Allison, etc. And Adrian Newey turned down Luca di Montezemolo and even the late Sergio Marchionne. After that, a president who signs Lewis and tries to get Adrian Newey deserves only compliments, regardless of any other considerations about fast laps, etc. There are many dots to connect, like in the Settimana Enigmistica (a weekly Italian word puzzle and word search magazine, ndr) puzzle magazine. I’m sorry I never worked with Lewis, ipse dixit. There’s also the ocean in between, Giovanni Soldini, the boat, what you already know. As for the duration of the well-known gardening leave period, there are already rows of lawyers celebrating with champagne. Then I don’t know how it will end. I swear (even though I have my own conviction).” – Leo Turrini concluded.
