Adrian Newey to Ferrari? Is it possible?
Discussion
SpudLink said:
I still maintain that unless he KNOWS Newey is joining the team, it makes no sense to jump ship from Mercedes.
Yup, that is my view too. It makes no sense otherwise and also Mercedes were clearly caught somewhat unawares as they have no second driver lined up (they are working on it now of course with FIA changes).
So he must have known something big was coming, because otherwise with the Ferrari "strategy" team it makes even less sense to leave Merc. There must have been a large bit of bait and to me that was Newey.
SpudLink said:
Bo_apex said:
If the performance gap between Mercedes and Ferrari continues Hamilton will be asking Toto for his old job back 
Before Hamilton to Ferrari was confirmed, I always said it would not happen because of Ferrari's consistent inability to deliver. "He won't be taken in by promises of a championship winning car" I said. Then when it was confirmed, I said "it can only be because they've told him Newey will be designing the car for 2026".
I still maintain that unless he KNOWS Newey is joining the team, it makes no sense to jump ship from Mercedes.
Obviously I know nothing, and have the record to prove it.
He's been at Mercedes for 12 years and has won everything there is to win. With the recent downturn in performance, it makes sense to move somewhere else before he retires.
Would he leave if Mercedes were dominating? Of course not. But they aren't dominating, so here we are.
Does the gigantic cheque from Ferrari help? Of course it does, but that's about getting one's worth rather than anything.
He's moving from top team to top team. Ferrari have to get it right at some point - one could argue that, cyclically, their time is coming.
I'm sure if he moves and Mercedes are at the front, he'll be annoyed but that's the risk every driver takes. He has enough success to not have regrets when he looks back at his career.
Mr Pointy said:
To be fair Mercedes had produced three dogs in a row so he had to make a change - he'd given them enough chances. Since RB was out that left Ferrari & McLaren as potential destinations.
Does that include the "dogs" that were WCC 2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2022 ?What shall we call the rest of the grid ??
Bo_apex said:
Mr Pointy said:
To be fair Mercedes had produced three dogs in a row so he had to make a change - he'd given them enough chances. Since RB was out that left Ferrari & McLaren as potential destinations.
Does that include the "dogs" that were WCC 2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2022 ?What shall we call the rest of the grid ??
Regarding the move to Ferrari, I suspect even if Newiy is going it might be a bit too much to expect that to make a difference in time for Lewis. He's 39 already and it's not as if Newey can suddenly make a car work in a matter of weeks.
Things have got far more interesting this season, which is a huge relief. Perhaps Merc will drop into a sweet sport at one or two circuits and produce a win.
paulguitar said:
Bo_apex said:
Mr Pointy said:
To be fair Mercedes had produced three dogs in a row so he had to make a change - he'd given them enough chances. Since RB was out that left Ferrari & McLaren as potential destinations.
Does that include the "dogs" that were WCC 2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2022 ?What shall we call the rest of the grid ??
Regarding the move to Ferrari, I suspect even if Newiy is going it might be a bit too much to expect that to make a difference in time for Lewis. He's 39 already and it's not as if Newey can suddenly make a car work in a matter of weeks.
Things have got far more interesting this season, which is a huge relief. Perhaps Merc will drop into a sweet sport at one or two circuits and produce a win.
For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Merc are now on the up thanks to Allison.
Bo_apex said:
The return of Allison has made a significant step forward. They look better than Ferrari.
For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Merc are now on the up thanks to Allison.
Yes, anything Hamilton is involved with will make a car and team worse, he's been a liability for his whole career since Cadet Karts, we know that, thanks sparta.For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Merc are now on the up thanks to Allison.
paulguitar said:
Regarding the move to Ferrari, I suspect even if Newiy is going it might be a bit too much to expect that to make a difference in time for Lewis. He's 39 already and it's not as if Newey can suddenly make a car work in a matter of weeks.
Oh, I don't know. The Red Bull appears to have taken a turn for the worse since Adrian's departure was announced. 
paulguitar said:
Bo_apex said:
The return of Allison has made a significant step forward. They look better than Ferrari.
For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Merc are now on the up thanks to Allison.
Yes, anything Hamilton is involved with will make a car and team worse, he's been a liability for his whole career since Cadet Karts, we know that, thanks sparta.For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Merc are now on the up thanks to Allison.
As for Hamilton, I heard he's also responsible for Brexit and the death of Princess Diana too but I suppose he finds a way to sleep at night.
Jasandjules said:
SpudLink said:
I still maintain that unless he KNOWS Newey is joining the team, it makes no sense to jump ship from Mercedes.
Yup, that is my view too. It makes no sense otherwise and also Mercedes were clearly caught somewhat unawares as they have no second driver lined up (they are working on it now of course with FIA changes).
So he must have known something big was coming, because otherwise with the Ferrari "strategy" team it makes even less sense to leave Merc. There must have been a large bit of bait and to me that was Newey.
However, if he knew Newey was comming, certainly that would have greased the wheels but the timing doesn't really match unless Horner getting a gobbling from Newey's assistant was just a coincidence.
Many years ago, my wife and I thought that Lewis was crazy moving from McLaren to Mercedes, but that move was certainly the correct move. With the move to Ferrari, will lightning strike twice, time will tell the tale. He will certainly be well compensated, get access to some fun road cars, and he will most likely generate a lot of press for Ferrari.
For all we know Newey may have been very aware of Horner's antics with his PA which if the messages are to be believed went on for some time. Also given his senior position its not beyond the imagination that he was party to some of the "moves" people were making after Mateschitz's death. All of which may have made him look for alternatives.
PlywoodPascal said:
Hustle_ said:
Only Bo will blame Hamilton for not having designed and developed the car properly
And it was max who helped red bull sort out their accounting in 2022If Hamilton gets a dominant car again, that will be down to Newey, Allison, or Mickey Mouse, whatever.
Edited by paulguitar on Tuesday 25th June 16:56
KGV said:
Many years ago, my wife and I thought that Lewis was crazy moving from McLaren to Mercedes, but that move was certainly the correct move. With the move to Ferrari, will lightning strike twice, time will tell the tale. He will certainly be well compensated, get access to some fun road cars, and he will most likely generate a lot of press for Ferrari.
Got to say I was with your wife, so to speak. It might be that, as a McL fan, I was a bit biased, but even so it was a stupid move.Derek Smith said:
KGV said:
Many years ago, my wife and I thought that Lewis was crazy moving from McLaren to Mercedes, but that move was certainly the correct move. With the move to Ferrari, will lightning strike twice, time will tell the tale. He will certainly be well compensated, get access to some fun road cars, and he will most likely generate a lot of press for Ferrari.
Got to say I was with your wife, so to speak. It might be that, as a McL fan, I was a bit biased, but even so it was a stupid move.SmoothCriminal said:
Bo_apex said:
For 2 years we heard Lewis was involved in the car development - everything went from bad to worse.
Hamilton is on record saying they didn't listen to him re major car development.Which do you believe ?
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff