Newey 'closer and closer' to Ferrari contract

May 18 (GMM) Adrian Newey is inching “closer and closer” to a sensational move to Ferrari.

From Imola, Britain’s Daily Mail claims the departing Red Bull technical guru has even put pen-to-paper on a forthcoming switch to Ferrari, where he will be united for 2025 and beyond with Lewis Hamilton.

Italy’s Corriere della Sera is not so sure an actual contract has been signed, but correspondent Daniele Sparisci – also at Imola – believes a deal is “getting closer and closer” by the day.

Newey, admitting he was “tired”, said in his most recent interview that he will “probably” return to Formula 1 after a break with his wife Amanda.

But when asked at Imola what he thinks Newey’s next move will be, Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: “He will stay in Formula 1.

“I’m sure of that.”

The 81-year-old admits losing Newey is a “huge” blow to Red Bull, having utterly dominated the new ground effect regulations era to date.

“Adrian Newey is the most successful designer since the founding of Formula 1,” he told the same Austrian newspaper. “When you lose someone like that, it is always a huge loss.

“On the other hand, we have set up our technical team very well with young people. There is Ben Waterhouse and the established Pierre Wache. That’s why I don’t think there will be a drop in technical performance.”