Ferrari appears to have exited the competition to engage Adrian Newey, a leading technical figure departing from Red Bull.
Following Charles Leclerc's victorious Monaco Grand Prix starting from pole position, former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde praised the recent influence of new Ferrari leader Frederic Vasseur on the legendary team from Maranello.
"Strategically he has brought in different people, like the new engineer for Leclerc," he explained to Viaplay. "Straight away he wins.
"He has attracted the right people to the team and even got Adrian Newey to join," added the Dutch former racer.
Indeed, until recently, it looked almost certain that Ferrari had succeeded in enticing Newey, one of the most illustrious and admired designers in Formula 1 history, though the deal was not yet finalized or announced.
However, Michael Schmidt, a widely trusted F1 journalist for German publication Auto Motor und Sport, now reports that Ferrari has withdrawn its interest in acquiring Newey's expertise.
According to Schmidt, Mercedes has re-entered the picture as a potential employer for Newey, with Williams, McLaren, and Aston Martin also in the mix as possible future stops for the 65-year-old British designer.
Ex-F1 competitor David Coulthard, on the other hand, speculates that retirement could still be an option for Newey, who is gradually reducing his role at Red Bull ahead of his full departure early next year.
"Clearly, if he's reflected on a contract that was signed a year or so ago and decided that he doesn't want to be part of that contract longer term, that has to come from a space of doubt or unhappiness," Coulthard commented on his podcast Formula For Success.
"Sometimes chasing the next opportunity, thinking that's going to bring you happiness, you can end up having regret.
"I know what I would do if I was him at 65 years old with more money than time - I would be on that boat quicker than you could see me pack my Speedos."
