Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix Fernando Alonso brushed aside rumors of a massive signing for Aston Martin
While the constant Formula 1 rumors about the 2025 driver grid continue to dominate headlines, there is another series of rumors that could have an even bigger impact on the sport.
Where Adrian Newey — one of the greatest designers in F1 history — could land after he leaves Red Bull.
The news that Newey would be leaving the team following the 2024 season sent shockwaves throughout the paddock, and kicked off thousands of stories regarding his next destination. Newey has been linked with a number of teams, including Ferrari, Williams, and even Aston Martin.
However, one of the major figures at Aston Martin has now brushed those rumors aside: Driver Fernando Alonso.
Speaking at Thursday’s FIA Press Conference ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Alonso dismissed recent reports that Newey had paid a visit to the team’s facility in Silverstone. “I read the rumors, I read the news,” scoffed Alonso in today’s FIA Press Conference. “But is this coming from the same source and the same website of one week ago [saying Newey] was in Ferrari and [there would be] an announcement at 12 o’clock before the Canada race.”
As you might imagine, no such announcement was made by Ferrari.
Alonso’s comments came as The Telegraph reported that Newey was seeking an “eye-watering” annual salary to join Aston Martin. According to Tom Cary writing in The Telegraph:
“Newey, who has been instrumental in world championship victories for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull, is said to have asked for an eye-watering sum to sign for the Silverstone-based team. The Telegraph has heard rumours of £25 million per season, which is allegedly half of what was asked for initially and which Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is understood to have balked at. Stroll is keen to make what would be a statement signing, though, and Newey is understood to have been given a tour of the team’s new factory at Silverstone a couple of weekends ago.”
Adding to the intrigue is recent comments from Williams team boss James Vowles, who teased some “big name” technical signings ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. “We’re not yet, unfortunately, in a position to announce these, but when we do start to announce who we have signed, they’re going to see big names recognised by a lot of people, across our technical organisation, across our aerodynamic organisation,” said Vowles in Montreal.
As they say, stay tuned.
