Adrian Newey is widely regarded as the greatest car designer in F1. Newey worked with Williams and McLaren before joining Red Bull in 2006. Since then he has largely remained committed to Red Bull even though other teams have tried to poach him, especially Ferrari, who once tried to give him a bumper $27 million fee in 2014 to hire his services.
But long before this, even prior to joining Red Bull, Ferrari came to him to serve Michael Schumacher. But Ferrari group heir and Enzo Ferrari’s son Pierro revealed that it would have done no good to the arguable F1 GOAT.
The Briton remained loyal to his team and rejected the Maranello-based team. Had he complied, the Briton could have worked with the likes of Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher during Ferrari’s glory years from 2000-04.
Piero Ferrari claims signing Newey wouldn’t have guaranteed Michael Schumacher success
Piero Ferrari, heir to the legendary Italian automaker recalls Ferarri’s desperation to sign Adrian Newey. He told in an interview reported by Planet F1, “He said no to Luca Di Montezemolo and Jean Todt,” said Ferrari.
Ferrari claims the Brion was reluctant to move from his home in the UK. “Apparently he doesn’t want to move, he likes to stay in England,” he added. In hindsight, Ferrari believes the success the team enjoyed with Schumacher might not have happened the same way had Newey joined the team.
Under the leadership of Montezemolo and Todt, Ferrari enjoyed one of the most dominant eras in F1. With Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, the team won 5 straight drivers titles and the constructors championship. This was considered one of the greatest feats by a team until Mercedes won 8 in a row.
Piero continued, “His undisputed skills aside, he doesn’t do it alone. He has very good people around him,” implying that the Briton’s success is derived from the team he worked with.
Newey has since signed a long-term extension and will remain Red Bull’s CTO for a while. The Briton’s cars have won 11 constructors titles and 198 races until the 2023 Miami GP. Based on the RB19’s electric form, he’ll surely be adding his 12th championship and 200th GP win this year.
Adrian Newey Snubbed $27 Million Ferrari Offer
Any car that Adrian Newey works on is considered a championship contender by default. Hence Ferrari tried to poach the Briton while he worked at McLaren and later Red Bull. The Italian team did try to bring Newey to Maranello. However, the Briton snubbed the offer every time.
In 2013, Red Bull achieved 4 consecutive driver titles with Sebastian Vettel and constructors championships. It was at this point that Ferrari made a mega offer for Newey.
The Italian giants offered him $27 Million, more than double his Red Bull salary. Former Ferrari chairman Luca Di Montezemolo even invited the Briton to his farmhouse and offered him anything as a part of his deal. He would even be offered a role in Ferrari’s leadership, but Newey rejected it.
He revealed later interview with ‘The Race’ that he was close to signing for Ferrari. However, it was his love for Red Bull that prevented him from moving to Maranello.
