Adrian Newey appears to be gradually moving "closer and closer" to a dramatic transfer to Ferrari.
According to the Daily Mail from Britain, the esteemed Red Bull technical mastermind has already signed preliminary agreements for a future role at Ferrari, where he would join forces with Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025.
However, Italy's Corriere della Sera remains uncertain about the finalization of the contract, though reporter Daniele Sparisci, also stationed at Imola this weekend, suspects that an agreement is "getting closer and closer" as days pass.
In a recent interview, 65-year-old Newey, who confessed to feeling "tired," indicated that he "probably" plans to return to Formula 1 following a hiatus with his wife, Amanda.
Meanwhile, when questioned about Newey's forthcoming plans, Red Bull consultant Dr. Helmut Marko confidently told Kleine Zeitung at Imola, "He will stay in Formula 1," and emphasized, "I'm sure of that."
Marko, aged 81, acknowledges that losing Newey deals a "huge" blow to Red Bull, which has been dominating under the current ground effect regulations. "Adrian Newey is the most successful designer since the founding of Formula 1," he remarked to the Austrian publication, adding, "When you lose someone like that, it is always a huge loss."
Nevertheless, Marko remains optimistic about the future of their technical team, stating, "On the other hand, we have set up our technical team very well with young talents. There is Ben Waterhouse and the established Pierre Wache. That's why I don't think there will be a drop in technical performance."
