Brundle Hints at Newey’s Next Move: Is the F1 Genius Maranello-Bound?
As speculation around Adrian Newey’s future continues to swirl, one respected voice in the paddock has added fuel to the fire. Martin Brundle, former driver and current Sky F1 pundit, has dropped a major hint about where the sport’s most legendary designer might be headed next and it could shake the grid to its core.
The Man Behind the Machines
Adrian Newey is no stranger to headlines. Widely regarded as the greatest car designer in Formula 1 history, Newey’s technical fingerprints are on over a dozen championship-winning cars across multiple teams, including Williams, McLaren, and of course, Red Bull.
His unique ability to interpret regulations and exploit every millimeter of performance has made him the most sought-after name in the paddock not just among drivers, but among team principals and CEOs. So, when Brundle speaks on Newey’s future, people listen.
Brundle’s Bold Statement
During a recent broadcast and follow-up interview, Martin Brundle offered a cryptic but revealing comment:
“If Adrian really is on the move and all signs are pointing that way then there’s only one place that makes sense at this stage of his career. And it’s not in Milton Keynes anymore.”
Pressed further, Brundle stopped short of confirming anything outright. But he strongly alluded to Maranello, suggesting that Ferrari may be in advanced talks with Newey or at the very least, actively preparing for his arrival.
“He’s conquered everything except the Prancing Horse. That legacy, that challenge it could be exactly the kind of thing that motivates him one last time,” Brundle added.
Why Ferrari?
Ferrari has long courted Adrian Newey. The Italian giants reportedly made several offers over the past two decades each time turned down by Newey for personal or professional reasons. But 2024 has presented a new dynamic.
The Scuderia is reenergized. Fred Vasseur is bringing structure and clarity. Lewis Hamilton’s shocking signing for 2025 has electrified the atmosphere. And Ferrari is making no secret of its ambitions to return to title-winning form, not just podium contention.
For Newey, it’s the ultimate unfinished chapter. He’s designed championship-winning cars for British and Austrian teams but never the iconic red machine from Italy. A move to Ferrari would cement his legacy as the man who brought every major team to the top.
The Red Bull Factor
The timing of Brundle’s comments is especially poignant, given the recent turmoil inside Red Bull Racing. The Christian Horner investigation, internal power struggles, and growing speculation about Newey’s decreasing involvement have all created a sense that the dynasty may be wobbling.
Though Newey has not publicly commented on any rift with Horner, several sources within the F1 world have suggested that their once-solid relationship has cooled. Brundle’s remarks only lend credence to the idea that Newey may be quietly preparing his exit.
A Tectonic Shift?
If Newey joins Ferrari, the implications would be monumental.
- For Ferrari: They’d gain the most influential designer in the sport’s modern era, completing a trio of power with Vasseur and Hamilton that could dominate for years.
- For Red Bull: They’d lose the architect of their success a blow that could destabilize even a team as resource-rich as theirs.
- For the grid: It could spark a wave of movements across teams, as engineers and technical personnel follow Newey to Italy or try to fill his void elsewhere.
Brundle even hinted that the dominoes might already be falling: “Look closely at some of the recent hires in Maranello, and the picture starts to form.”
When Could It Happen?
While nothing is confirmed, many in the paddock believe that if Newey is to make the move, it would be timed for the 2025 season coinciding with Hamilton’s debut in red and giving Ferrari a full year to prepare a car designed under Newey’s direction.
That would also neatly align with a potential retirement horizon for Newey, who has spoken in recent years about stepping back but never quite seems ready to hang up his drafting tools.
A Legend’s Final Chapter?
Martin Brundle’s words carry weight. He’s seen the sport evolve through eras, from Senna to Verstappen, from turbo V6s to hybrid domination. And when he hints that Newey’s next stop could be Ferrari, the world of Formula 1 takes notice.
If the move happens, it won’t just be a new chapter for Newey it could be the final chapter in a career that has shaped the very DNA of modern F1.
And what better way to close the book than with the most iconic team in the sport’s history?