David Coulthard baffled by Ferrari’s ongoing struggles and Adrian Newey miss despite vast resources
David Coulthard has expressed deep confusion over Ferrari’s inability to consistently challenge for Formula 1 race victories, despite having what he described as immense potential and global backing. The former Red Bull, McLaren, and Williams driver believes the iconic team should be a dominant force but continues to underperform—particularly in light of missing the opportunity to sign legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey.
Ferrari, despite being the sport’s most storied name, has not lifted a title since the 2008 Constructors’ Championship. The Scuderia’s last Drivers’ Championship dates even further back, to Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007. Although the team showed promise in the 2024 season—pushing McLaren to a title showdown in Abu Dhabi—hopes that Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 would elevate Ferrari to championship contention have so far fallen flat.
Instead, McLaren has surged ahead. After nine rounds of the 2025 campaign, they hold a commanding 197-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari, highlighting a significant performance gap.
David Coulthard, a 13-time Grand Prix winner, admitted he could not understand how a team with Ferrari’s stature and resources was still unable to achieve consistent success. He noted that the brand’s global influence, fan support, and funding should logically translate into frequent victories, yet the team continues to fall short of expectations.
The missed opportunity to sign Adrian Newey only adds to the mystery. Widely regarded as the most successful technical mind in Formula 1 history, Adrian Newey was linked with the Maranello team following his exit from Red Bull. Instead, he opted to join Aston Martin, taking on the role of managing technical partner starting in March 2025.
Adrian Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin stunned many, including David Coulthard, who questioned how the Silverstone-based team managed to secure the services of a figure who has been instrumental in securing 26 world championships across multiple teams. The former Formula 1 driver pointed out that the Maranello team had both the financial muscle and the allure to persuade Adrian Newey but somehow failed to close the deal.
David Coulthard dismissed finances as the decisive factor, noting that Ferrari had already demonstrated their ability to fund blockbuster deals by luring Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes with a long-term contract reportedly worth over $400 million. Drawing from personal experience, the former McLaren and Red Bull driver recalled the effort it took to convince the late Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz to invest in Adrian Newey’s services two decades ago. At the time, Mateschitz was hesitant due to the cost, prompting David Coulthard to argue that investing in a top designer could be even more crucial than signing a leading driver. He explained that a brilliant car could allow even average drivers to win races, whereas a mediocre car—regardless of the driver’s talent—would struggle to achieve consistent results.
Ultimately, Mateschitz was persuaded and brought Newey on board, a decision that would prove pivotal in shaping Red Bull’s future success.
Adrian Newey, in an interview with Sky Sports News, later revealed why he chose Aston Martin over Ferrari. He confirmed that the Scuderia had been a strong consideration but cited several compelling reasons for selecting Aston Martin. Chief among them was the opportunity to work closely with team owner Lawrence Stroll, whose offer included not just a leadership role but also a shareholding in the organization. Adrian Newey was drawn to Stroll’s hands-on ownership style, which reminded him of past F1 team bosses like Frank Williams, Ron Dennis, and Eddie Jordan—figures who were deeply involved in their teams’ daily operations.
The legendary car designer also admitted he had long harbored ambitions to work with both Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, but with the two champions racing for different teams, he had to choose. Ultimately, Aston Martin’s vision for the 2026 regulations, combined with their new works partnership with Honda, convinced him to join their project and play a leading role in shaping their future competitiveness.
His first public appearance as an Aston Martin figurehead came at the Monaco Grand Prix, and Adrian Newey is expected to attend several more race weekends throughout the 2025 season as he integrates into his new role.
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