Adrian Newey Turned Down Ferrari After Spotting Leadership Challenges Under Fred Vasseur
When Adrian Newey confirmed his departure from Red Bull, several Formula 1 teams were eager to secure his services. Among them, Ferrari emerged as the leading contender, hoping to bolster their technical department with one of the most successful engineers in the sport’s history.
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc already confirmed for the future, adding Adrian Newey to the mix could have created a championship-winning formula ahead of the sweeping regulation changes in 2026. But despite strong links to Maranello, Adrian Newey chose a different path. He instead committed to Aston Martin on a five-year deal, with team owner Lawrence Stroll successfully persuading him to join the ambitious Silverstone-based outfit in their quest to reach the front of the grid.
Now earning a reported £30 million per season, Adrian Newey is preparing to lead Aston Martin into a new era, which will also see Honda return as the team’s power unit supplier. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as drivers, the team hopes Newey’s technical brilliance can deliver the performance gains they’ve been lacking in recent seasons.
Although some in the paddock raised concerns about Newey’s age upon his Aston Martin signing, his unparalleled history of success—particularly under new regulatory frameworks—has reassured many that he remains a top-tier technical leader. Ferrari, facing renewed struggles in 2025, could certainly have benefited from his experience.
Why Adrian Newey Declined Ferrari: Concerns About Control and Pressure at Maranello
Despite finding the idea of working for Ferrari “fascinating,” Newey reportedly had significant reservations that ultimately led him to reject the offer. According to a report from FUnoAnalisiTecnica, the British engineer declined the move due to what he saw as a fundamental issue in the team’s structure and culture.
The report revealed that the Italian side was unwilling to grant Adrian Newey overarching control of the sporting division—an essential factor for someone accustomed to managing the entire technical direction. Moreover, the legendary car designer believed there was “too much pressure” surrounding the Ferrari role, a concern rooted in the immense scrutiny from both Italian media and the devoted Tifosi when results fall short.
This atmosphere is currently being felt by team principal Fred Vasseur, who faces mounting pressure amid Ferrari’s inconsistent 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite securing just three podiums so far, Ferrari remain off the pace compared to their rivals, regularly finding themselves with the fourth-fastest car on the grid.
Newey, known for favoring long-term, methodical projects, reportedly saw the high-pressure environment under the French manager as an obstacle to sustainable success. In contrast, Aston Martin offered him a long runway to develop a winning package without the immediate weight of national expectations.
Fred Vasseur Under Scrutiny as Ferrari Struggles Persist
Fred Vasseur’s future as Ferrari boss remains uncertain, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season. Although the team publicly dismissed speculation about his position during the Canadian Grand Prix, there has been no official confirmation regarding his tenure beyond 2025.
Reports suggest Fred Vasseur may have just a few races to convince Ferrari chairman John Elkann of his long-term suitability for the role. With both championships already slipping out of reach, internal dissatisfaction with the team’s performance appears to be growing.
While public support for the French manager still exists, Charles Leclerc has praised his leadership, and Lewis Hamilton reportedly joined Ferrari partly due to the Frenchman’s influence—there is no guarantee of job security. The paddock may believe his position is safe, but the reality behind the scenes could be far more tenuous.
Fred Vasseur has acknowledged the immense demands he places on himself, insisting that he is “always” pushing for wins. However, as Ferrari’s results continue to underwhelm, he may soon find that passion and effort alone are not enough to secure his place at the helm.
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