Hamilton aims for Newey's collaboration at Ferrari by 2026

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Lewis Hamilton on Adrian Newey: "he’d be an amazing addition to Ferrari".

Miami, FL – In a surprising twist that has captured the imagination of Formula 1 fans worldwide, Lewis Hamilton has expressed his desire to see legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey join him at Ferrari. This follows the news that Newey will exit Red Bull Racing at the start of 2025.

Newey, who has masterminded some of the most successful cars in F1 history, confessed last year to regretting that he had never collaborated directly with Hamilton. As the seven-time world champion is set to join the Scuderia next season, this potential partnership could become a reality, possibly enriching the grid in 2026.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton stated, "Adrian's got such a great history, track record, and he's obviously just done an amazing job throughout his career in engaging with teams and the knowledge that he has. I think he would be an amazing addition [to Ferrari]. I think they've already got a great team, they're already making huge progress and strides forward -- their car is quicker this year -- but yeah it would be a privilege to work with him."

While Hamilton refrained from giving details on whether Ferrari chairman John Elkann had been consulted regarding the acquisition of Newey, he made it clear that the prospect excites him. "It's very much private conversation stuff," Hamilton commented. "If I was to do a list of people I would like to work with he would absolutely be at the top of it. But I don't know. We'll see."

Hamilton and Newey have almost crossed paths before. At the start of his career with McLaren in 2007, Hamilton drove a car that was an evolution of Newey's design before the latter switched allegiance to Red Bull. Reflecting on that period, Hamilton said, "Just from my perspective when I joined McLaren it was an evolution of his car. I got there just after he left. That car had evolved from a concept he had worked on. I felt privileged I had the chance to touch something he worked on."

Newey's contributions have been instrumental at Red Bull, where he has led the team to six constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships. His impending departure marks a pivotal moment for the team that currently reigns supreme in the world of Formula 1.

There remain questions about Red Bull’s capability to retain world champion Max Verstappen in the aftermath of Newey's exit, but Hamilton believes the team will remain competitive. "Racing against a team he's [Newey] been so heavily a part of for the years has been a massive challenge. I think we always need to remember there's a lot of people in the background ... it's not one person, it's a whole team of people who do the job."

Hamilton concluded, noting that any team would be "fortunate" to have Newey, while emphasizing the collective effort behind Red Bull's past and future successes. "Of all the amazing experience he brings to the team, the people he works with will continue to do an amazing job and I don't anticipate Red Bull not building great cars going forward."

The motorsport world eagerly awaits further developments in this potential collaboration that could define the next era of Formula 1 racing.

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