The struggling Formula 1 team Alpine has become a new and significant player in the race to secure a contract with Adrian Newey.
During the sport's summer hiatus, Autosprint in Italy reported an impending announcement in September, indicating Aston Martin had outmaneuvered Ferrari for the Red Bull specialist's services.
Lawrence Stroll reportedly secured the 65-year-old's services with a tempting four-year, $100 million contract.
However, Auto Bild now reports that Alpine's newly appointed executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has complicated matters.
Ralf Bach of Auto Bild disclosed that Renault CEO Luca di Meo and Briatore have made an aggressive pitch to Newey, offering him extensive benefits to join Renault's racing division and propel it forward.
Briatore has assured Newey of complete autonomy in decision-making, beyond just monetary incentives. "According to insiders, he is now deliberating over this proposal," Bach noted.
Newey remains contractually tied to Red Bull, with responsibilities that include finishing the RB17 supercar. Speculation about his next move is widespread.
On Red Bull's Talking Bull podcast, Newey expressed his indifference to the media frenzy: "It's very easy because I don't really read social media or I don't particularly read magazines. That's kind of something I stopped doing a long time ago," he said. "My wife keeps me roughly informed of what's going on, but I'm relatively oblivious to it. I just try to lead my life and not be influenced by it."
Jo Ramirez, former McLaren team coordinator, believes Ferrari could still be in contention. Speaking to El Mundo Deportivo, he suggested Newey - with whom he worked closely at McLaren in the 90s and early 2000s, could manage his commitments from afar: "Today, things are different in that you can work remotely and two or three days a week he will have his private plane to take him to Italy and back."
While Newey's plans remain uncertain, Ramirez shared, "I haven't spoken to him about it, although I did meet him at the historic Monaco GP and we chatted, although he didn't say anything about it. He will continue in Formula 1, we just don't know where."
