Mercedes’ Formula 1 team is attempting to snatch master designer Adrian Newey right under Ferrari’s nose by offering him an almost irresistible deal. The offer includes a salary worth tens of millions and team shares. The racing team is currently valued at approximately 1.3 billion euros.
The 65-year-old Newey is set to leave Red Bull in the first quarter of next year, despite an ongoing contract. His desire to turn his back on Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez’s team is a result of the internal power struggle within the team, the controversy surrounding team boss Christian Horner (who is accused of sexual misconduct), and strained personal relationships. Speculation is rife about his future in Formula 1. Newey has lucrative offers from Ferrari and Aston Martin, among others. The Williams team is also vying for his services.
Mercedes: A New Contender
Mercedes has now emerged as a new contender, according to German F1-Insider. Mercedes hopes to keep Adrian Newey away from Ferrari at the last minute. However, Newey is reportedly hesitant about the offer due to the powerful role of Toto Wolff. The Austrian is not only the team boss and CEO but also owns shares in the team. Newey wants to avoid new political struggles, like the current ones at Red Bull. Last year, Newey also turned down a multimillion-dollar offer from Ferrari. He was not keen on moving abroad at the time.
Upcoming Discussions
Next week, discussions are scheduled between Newey and his good friend and manager Eddie Jordan. They will sit down and discuss all options.