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LEWIS HAMILTON says he would “very much” like to have Adrian Newey join him at Ferrari.
Newey, F1’s most successful designer, announced he was leaving Red Bull Racing on Wednesday.
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The 65-year-old has negotiated an early exit from this deal with the world champions that would allow him to move early next year.
It would free him up to join Hamilton at Ferrari for next season in preparation for a major new rule change in F1 in 2026.
Hamilton was quizzed ahead of this weekend’s Miami GP about working with Newey and said: “Adrian has such a great history and track record.
“He’s done an amazing job through his career, engaging with teams and the knowledge he has. I think he would be an amazing addition.
“I think they [Ferrari] already have a great team, making huge strides forward and progress. Their car is quicker this year. But it would be a privilege to work with him.”
Hamilton was grilled if an attempt to sign Newey was part of his wishlist when he started negotiating with Ferrari.
He added: “This is all private conversation stuff. If I was to do a list of people I would love to work with, he would absolutely be at the top of it.
“When I joined McLaren I think it was an evolution of his car. I got there just after he left, so that car would have evolved from a concept that he had worked on.
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“I felt privileged that I had the chance to touch something that he had worked on.
“Racing against the team that he’s been so heavily a part of has been a massive challenge but I think we have to remember there are a lot of people in the background.
“It’s not one person, it’s a whole team of people who do the job. You can imagine all the amazing experience that he brings to the team, but the people that he works with will continue to do an amazing job.
“I don’t anticipate Red Bull not continuing to build great cars moving forward. But any team would be fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.”
Max Verstappen, who has been the main beneficiary of Newey’s designs in recent seasons, insisted the designer’s exit will not force him to quit Red Bull despite being linked with a move to Mercedes.
He said: “All of these things, a couple of years ago, would have been a bit unexpected but I think it is always very important to remain calm and focused on your job, know who you’re working with, feel comfortable.
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“At the end of the day, we need to have the fastest car, that’s what I always demanded, that’s what we finally got for a couple of years now.
“And we have a very strong technical team that are part of the team still for a long time. It goes on like it was going before.
“Of course Adrian from when he started at Red Bull, he was incredibly important for the success that they had.
“Over time, his role has changed a bit and a lot of people don’t understand what he was actually doing.
Who is Adrian Newey?
Adrian Newey was the design chief at Red Bull Racing.
The 65-year-old has played a crucial role in designing the cars that have helped Sebastian Vettel and Max Vertappen win SEVEN drivers’ world championships.
Newey began designing in Formula One back in 1988 with March, where his cars were far more competitive than expected.
After March he spent time with Williams and McLaren before joining Red Bull in 2005.
Throughout his career he has contributed to the cars that have secured 12 World Constructors’ titles and 13 World Drivers’ championships.
He is widely considered to be the greatest designer in the history of F1.
“I don’t say he wasn’t doing anything but his role has evolved. A lot of good people came into the team that have strengthened that whole department.
“Of course I would have preferred him to stay, for sure, because you can always rely on his experience and just as a person he is a great guy to chat to and relate to.
“Because he is very bright, very smart but he would also talk to the driver and interpret that into the car, in terms of he would try to imagine himself driving.
“But I also really trust that the technical team we have outside of Adrian is very, very strong. They have basically shown that with the last few years with how competitive the car is.
But any team would be fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.
Lewis Hamilton
“From the outside, it looks very dramatic. But I think if you know what is happening inside the team it is not as dramatic as it seems.”
When asked again if he would consider his position in Red Bull, Verstappen again denied that he would be seeking a move.
He added: “I think people are making up a lot of things at the moment because they don’t understand how the roles were in the team.
“But of course, I cannot deny I would have preferred him to stay, just for how he is as a person, his knowledge and what he will potentially bring to another team if he wants to join.
Inside track on Hamilton’s life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.
“If someone really wants to leave they should leave. That’s also what I wrote to him. We talk, it’s not like suddenly we don’t talk.
“If you think that is the right decision for yourself and family, or you seek a different challenge or whatever, you have to do it.”
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez says Red Bull will cope without Newey, but says he will be an asset to any team he joins.
He said: “Everyone is fully committed to the season and the future looks bright.
“It is normal for some movement, but the organisation looks strong and I don’t expect more changes.
“Adrian is much more than a designer, he can influence set-up and strategies and a strong guy who will make an immediate impact wherever he goes.”
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