Adrian Newey 'offered shares in £1.1bn team' to stop chief linking up with Lewis Hamilton
Adrian Newey's future remains in the balance.
Adrian Newey has reportedly been offered shares in a top Formula One team to stop the design guru from linking up with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari.
It was announced earlier this year that Newey would leave Red Bull following a 19-year stint with the constructor.
Newey - whose official job title is chief technical officer - has been credited as one of the most influential designers in Formula One history.
The Brit has spent over four decades in Formula One, with his cars having helped contribute to a whopping 13 World Drivers’ Championships.
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Where Newey goes next is one of the biggest questions in Formula One right now, with talk of a switch to Ferrari having gathered pace.
However, it’s been reported by F1 Insider that Mercedes are lining up a surprise swoop for Newey to stop him from working alongside soon-to-be Ferrari man Hamilton.
It’s suggested Mercedes are willing to offer Newey shares worth £1.1billion, as they plot a route back to the top of the Formula One podium.
Winners of consecutive Drivers’ Championship titles between 2014 and 2020, the Silver Arrows have been usurped by Red Bull in recent years, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen hoovering up the accolades.
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As a result, Mercedes are hoping to bring both Newey and Verstappen to Brackley, in an attempt to take back their Formula One crown.
However, according to the report, Newey isn’t sold on the idea of a move to Mercedes, with the design ace holding reservations about working with Toto Wolff.
It’s suggested that Newey views Wolff as an overly powerful entity in the Mercedes structure - akin to his counterpart Christian Horner at Red Bull.
As such, Newey is fearful of the behind-scenes politics that could plague his working environment, should he pen a move to Mercedes.
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But it isn’t just Ferrari and Mercedes vying for Newey’s services, with Williams also positioning themselves as an outside option.
A winner of four Drivers’ Championship titles with Williams during the 1990s, it’s hinted Newey could work away from any drama at the British constructor.
Elsewhere, Aston Martin, McLaren and Alpine are also being linked to the legendary 65-year-old, who is expected to make a decision on his future in due course.
