Fred Vasseur enters talks with Adrian Newey

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is working to sign Adrian Newey from Red Bull.

Fred Vasseur is understood to have begun negotiations with Red Bull’s Adrian Newey. The Ferrari team principal has spent just over twelve months at Maranello, but his impact is already substantial. With 7-time Champion Lewis Hamilton joining the team next season, Vasseur could secure another blockbuster agreement in the coming weeks and months. This time, the target is not a driver – but instead the most sought-after engineer in F1. Adrian Newey.

Red Bull struggles with internal politics

The last two months at Red Bull have been dramatic. An investigation into allegations surrounding Christian Horner’s conduct sparked the civil war at Milton Keynes. Senior personnel at the Austrian team have been caught at the epicentre, with Red Bull’s on-track success unable to disguise the ugly politics beneath the surface. Clear divisions between the Verstappen camp and Horner – supported by the majority owner of the drinks company – are clear.

For a few weeks, it seemed these fault lines had settled. Helmut Marko, who was at one point on the verge of being suspended, kept his position.

F1 soon turned its attention towards the on-track action, as the RB20 asserted itself as the benchmark in Formula 1. Despite a blip in Melbourne that saw Sainz and Leclerc take a Ferrari 1-2, the reigning Champions have looked extremely convincing.

Adrian Newey on his way out of Red Bull

Unfortunately for Red Bull, there are still problems behind the scenes. The latest issue to address concerns Adrian Newey, who is understood to be departing from the team. Newey is someone who needs no introduction, with the British engineer responsible for many of F1’s title-winning cars. Most recently, his understanding of ground-effect cars has been instrumental in Red Bull’s success.

Speaking of which, there are conflicting reports about the reason for Newey’s exit from Milton Keynes. There have been some suggestions that Red Bull’s internal investigation into Horner’s conduct is a contributing factor. Meanwhile, other reports suggest that Adrian Newey has grown unhappy with his role within the team. An interview last season – where Christian Horner pointed to the contributions of technical director Pierre Wache – is referenced as a potential fault line.

Regardless of which factor, if not both, has been pivotal, the 65-year-old’s days at Red Bull are numbered.

Ferrari begins contract negotiations with Adrian Newey

Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of interest for the highly decorated engineer. Every big team, from Ferrari to Mercedes to Aston Martin, is in the race to secure Newey’s services.

Aston Martin is understood to have already offered a multi-year deal. Meanwhile, Mercedes – who have been vocal about their interest in Max Verstappen – could sign the British engineer to help solve their limited understanding of ground effect cars. Of course, his presence could also persuade Verstappen to join the team.

However, Ferrari is widely seen as the favourite to sign Adrian Newey. According to Gazzetta, team principal Fred Vasseur has travelled to London with the purpose of entering negotiations with the engineering genius. Ideally, Red Bull will not impose a gardening leave that sidelines him for too long. Should Newey be available in 2026, for example (when F1 enters a new set of regulations), his impact could be seen in a reasonable timeframe.

Previously, Newey has spoken about his regret about never working for Ferrari. Although this is not evidence that he will join the Maranello-based team, it provides anecdotal evidence to support the overwhelming consensus in F1.

Fred Vasseur and Scuderia Ferrari are well-positioned to pull off another blockbuster move and sign one of Red Bull’s most important assets.