A former Red Bull driver has alleged that and Aston Martin have agreed to work together.
Robert Doornbos, Red Bull’s reserve and test driver in 2006, is now a public speaker and ‘F1 expert’.
He has bluntly indicated that the fate of Newey, the outgoing Red Bull chief technical officer, has been decided.
Doornbos explained Ferrari’s failure to sign the tech genius: “Newey’s expectations were exorbitant.
“He wanted a salary double what he earned at Red Bull and more authority over the technical personnel.
“This proved too much for Ferrari’s team boss, Frederic Vasseur, and the negotiations ultimately fell through.”
According to Doornbos, “Aston Martin emerged as a surprising new contender.”
“Aston Martin, led by Lawrence Stroll, has aggressively pushed to become title challengers within five years. Now in their third year, they must make considerable progress over the next two.
“Their exclusive engine arrangement with Honda in 2026 establishes them as a factory team, and Stroll is investing a billion dollars to pursue his championship goal.
“With two-time champion Fernando Alonso already on board and progress made on Max Verstappen, they’re going for the best of the best.
“However, Newey was Aston Martin’s first objective, and the agreement is now complete.
“Set to earn $100 million over three years, triple his Red Bull salary, Newey will have a significant say in technical decisions.
“Aston Martin’s cutting-edge plant, finished last year, most certainly drew him in with its advanced technology, which included a new wind tunnel. “The official announcement is expected in September.”
There is no indication from Aston Martin that Doornbos’ assertion is correct.
In April, club principal Mike Krack disputed to Sky Sports that the team made Newey a “astronomical” offer.
Newey will leave Red Bull early next year, giving him significant influence over the 2026 vehicle for whoever hires him next.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has ruled his team out of the running, leaving Aston Martin and Ferrari as the most likely destinations.
Doornbos worked with Newey throughout his year as Red Bull’s reserve and test driver.
“Reflecting back to my days at Red Bull in 2006, the time when Adrian joined, I recall the initial scepticism in the paddock around our team’s commitment to serious racing amidst a ‘party team’ reputation, more interested in commercial gains than competitive success,” he’d previously stated.
“Adrian’s entrance marked a watershed moment, introducing a combination of accuracy and dogged pursuit of the limits that would later define the team’s ethos and success.
“My firsthand experience with Adrian began in 2006/2007, during a period of unlimited testing. A tremendous era for me as a development driver, as I prepare to make my Grand Prix racing debut.
“Adrian’s approach was unique; he was constantly looking to push the edges of what was feasible under the sport’s rules, often with nothing more than a drawing on paper.
“This out-of-the-box thinking often meant redefining what other engineers and teams deemed impossible.”
