Aston Martin deal Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari major blow and Newey could make matters worse
Aston Martin are struggling for on-track performance right now, but they are making waves in the paddock.
Aston Martin have reportedly completed the signing of Ferrari’s chassis and aerodynamics technical director Enrico Cardile, stealing a key member of Fred Vasseur’s entourage ahead of the arrival of marquee signing Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
Cardile has been a pivotal part of Vasseur’s backroom set-up at Maranello since he joined the Scuderia for the 2023 season, but the 49-year-old will no longer be of service to the Frenchman.
According to a report from the Italian news outlet Formu1a.uno, Aston Martin have completed the signing of Cardile. The Arezzo-born engineer has been working with the Ferrari company in some capacity since 2005, serving a multitude of roles within their F1 operation since 2016.
This blow could soon be followed by an even bigger one. Ahead of the race in Barcelona last weekend, a report from The Times stated that Aston Martin are now leading the way in the battle for Adrian Newey’s signature following a private tour around the squad’s brand-new facilities at Silverstone.
When Newey’s departure from Red Bull was initially announced, Ferrari were the clear frontrunners and some reports even suggested that contract talks between the two parties were nearing their conclusions. However, the tables look to have turned, and this will no doubt frustrate Hamilton, who had expressed his desire to work with his fellow Brit.
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"I think he would be an amazing addition [to Ferrari],” Hamilton explained earlier this year when asked about the possibility of working alongside Newey. “I think they've already got a great team, they're already making huge progress and strides forward... the car is quicker this year. But yeah, it would be a privilege to work with him."
On the plus side, even if Ferrari does lose Cardile and misses out on bringing Newey on board, Vasseur and Hamilton can take confidence from an aggressive recruitment drive from the Italian constructor.
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Several key figures have recently committed to a future at Maranello, including Jerome d’Ambrosio and Loic Serra, the latter of whom will, according to the Formu1a.uno report, take over the duties of the Aston Martin-bound engineer.
In the Aston Martin camp, Mike Krack hopes that the signing of Cardile will galvanise his squad. For the second season in succession, the Silverstone-based outfit are fading after a promising start, and P12 and P14 finishes at the Spanish Grand Prix represent an alarming step backwards for Lawrence Stroll’s team.