Williams has also entered the race for Adrian Newey, which in today’s Formula 1 is certainly not inappropriately equivalent to the famous gold rush that took place in the mid-19th century, especially in the United States.
Yes, you understood correctly. The team directed by James Vowles has decided to make at least one attempt to bring back to Grove the brilliant engineer who only a few hours ago officially announced his farewell to Red Bull Racing starting from the first months of next year.
In the agreement signed between the engineer from Stratford-upon-Avon and the Milton Keynes team it is made clear that the parties will officially part ways from March 2025. This has sparked a race to find the most titled engineer in the history of Formula 1.
In recent weeks it was Aston Martin that attempted the first approach with Newey, offering him a four-year contract for a figure close to 100 million dollars. Then it was Ferrari’s turn, which seems to want to try to take Newey alongside the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, which will take place on January 1, 2025.
James Vowles, Williams team principal, admitted to Motorsport.com that he wanted to try to bring the brilliant engineer back to Grove: “I’ve known Adrian for some time and I spoke to him on Friday. I’m sure we’ll speak again, in brief”.
James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing
Picture of: Motorsport Images
“Adrian is an icon of our sport, there’s no doubt about it. All the teams he’s been in since Williams have gone on to become champions. It’s not a coincidence, it’s simply the effect he has on Formula 1. He would be remiss For my part, don’t talk to him. It’s very simple.”
Newey has previously worked at Williams. He joined the then Didcot team in 1991 and, together with the then technical director Patrick Head, helped create the FW14B with which Nigel Mansell won the world title in 1992, without forgetting the 1993 single-seater with which he won his last title of Alain Prost’s career, in 1996 and 1997 in which Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve won respectively.
“I think Williams still has a lot of work to do,” Vowles continued. “Adrian or not, our task is enormous and Adrian wouldn’t make it any easier. But that’s the point.”
“I think we also have to be reasonable. Our conversations with him were very light. But even so, did we talk to him? Yes, we did. They were very light. But to answer your question: Williams would be a dream team with Adrian? I say yes.”
As of today, the option that would bring Newey to Grove is more attractive than realistic. However, in the history of sport, we have witnessed many twists and turns, even recently. In short, the door is ajar. We will see if in the next few weeks it will close completely or if, instead, it will sensationally become wide open.
#Vowles #Williams #Newey
