Aston Martin has recently hired Ferrari’s Enrico Cardile as their new Chief Technical Officer.
This move strengthens the British team’s technical staff significantly. The next few months will show if Adrian Newey will join Aston Martin or choose another team like Ferrari, Williams, McLaren, or Mercedes. Which team will win him over?
Aston Martin’s Strong Foundation
One thing Aston Martin doesn’t lack is money. Thanks to co-owner Lawrence Stroll’s wealth, they can heavily invest in the team. Their new factory at Silverstone is a testament to this investment. Recently, they brought in Andy Cowell as CEO and then added Cardile. Adrian Newey would be a great addition to this list, but what role would he play?
Cardile has taken the CTO position that Newey held at Red Bull. If Newey joins Aston Martin, it might be in an advisory role due to his age and preference for less demanding positions. This could be appealing since Aston Martin is still growing into a top team, giving Newey a chance to make a big impact. However, having Cardile in a similar expertise area might cause some friction.
Ferrari’s Open Position
With Cardile leaving Ferrari, there’s now an open management spot that Newey could fill as head of aerodynamics—a full-time job though. It’s unclear if Newey wants such a commitment anymore. Plus, Fred Vasseur holds the top position at Ferrari; they don’t currently have a CTO.
Working with Lewis Hamilton might attract Newey to Ferrari despite its chaotic Italian work style compared to British methods. However, frequent presence in Maranello could be challenging for him given his ties to England and South Africa .
Recently reported by Italian media: higher-ups at Ferrari want more control themselves which raises doubts about how well Newey would fit into such an environment—signs suggest he may look elsewhere.
Williams: Another Option?
Williams openly expressed interest in bringing back Newey; James Vowles already discussed it with him! If he returns there though—it’s not quite like the successful 1990s team anymore…
Fans might wonder if this long-term project suits someone aged 65 who needs quick success again before retiring fully But then again—it’s Williams—a place close historically connected with him!
Mercedes or McLaren—or maybe some unexpected outsider—could also snag his signature soon! These teams have structured themselves so well recently that adding someone like Newey might even disrupt things—but anything can happen within Formula 1 paddocks!
Who knows? Maybe he’ll surprise everyone… What do you think?