Dream Duo Derailed: The Hamilton-Newey Superteam That F1 Will Never See

The dream of an F1 powerhouse team featuring Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Newey is unlikely to become a reality.

The announcement of Adrian Newey's switch to Aston Martin definitively eliminates the possibility of Formula 1's top designer collaborating with the sport's most victorious driver, Lewis Hamilton.

In 2023, during an appearance on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Newey expressed that one of his professional regrets would be not having the opportunity to work at Ferrari or alongside Hamilton.

He expressed, "To some extent, emotionally, yes."

"However, collaborating with Fernando [Alonso] and Lewis would have been incredible. Unfortunately, it never came to fruition. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of circumstances, and that's just how things turn out."

Newey's move to Aston Martin in 2025 has dashed F1 enthusiasts' hopes for the creation of a "dream team" featuring Newey, Hamilton, and Ferrari.

The prospect of Newey and Hamilton joining forces, considering their impressive histories, would have been incredibly enticing, serving as a grand finale before they both decided to retire.

Hamilton stands as the most accomplished driver in the sport, holding seven F1 world championships and securing 105 wins.

Vehicles crafted by Newey have achieved an impressive tally of 12 constructors' championships and 13 drivers' championships, marking an unmatched record for an F1 designer.

Why haven't Hamilton and Newey teamed up?

Although they have been contemporaries in the racing world, the possibility of a partnership between Hamilton and Newey hasn't materialized, until the unexpected announcement of Hamilton's switch to Ferrari for the upcoming season.

Hamilton joined McLaren merely two years following Newey's unexpected move to Red Bull.

The beginning of Hamilton's supremacy in 2014 led Newey to consider other options, as ex-Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo made efforts to recruit the Red Bull designer.

Newey's frustration escalated due to the limitations imposed on Red Bull by Renault's underperforming engine, leading him to feel "quite depressed" about the predicament.

In 2014, Mercedes attempted to recruit Newey, yet he remained dedicated, attributing his decision to the "fatherly connection" he felt with Red Bull, which he helped elevate from a mid-tier team to champions.

In a 2017 interview with the BBC, Newey shared, "Given the situation with our engine provider, our prospects seemed rather bleak. It really brought me down. Then, Ferrari and another team, Mercedes, reached out to me. It was a moment when I had to decide.

"I suppose for Red Bull, having developed it from the ground up, there was a sense of fatherly connection to the team and the individuals who were part of it. I shared a deep and solid bond with Christian Horner, which made leaving seem akin to abandoning a family."

Newey's passion for Formula 1 experienced highs and lows until Red Bull experienced a resurgence after teaming up with Honda in 2019, leading to Max Verstappen triumphing over Hamilton for the championship in 2021.

Could Ferrari Be a No-Go in 2025?

Speculation has been rife about Red Bull's potential collapse in the early stages of the 2024 Formula 1 season, following controversy surrounding Christian Horner for alleged misconduct. This has fueled rumors about Adrian Newey potentially exiting the team, with Max Verstappen's continued involvement also being questioned.

During the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull made an official announcement regarding Newey's exit, stating that he would be allowed to move to a competing Formula 1 team in the early months of 2025.

Ferrari was quickly associated with Newey, with several reports suggesting they were ready to offer him £100 million over a four-year period.

Following the announcement, Hamilton confessed that Newey would be his first choice of collaborators in F1.

"Hamilton mentioned, "If I were to compile a list of individuals I'd be thrilled to collaborate with, he would definitely rank first."

"Having him on any team would be considered a lucky chance."

Two months after, Newey remarked, “I'm quite touched by Lewis's words. It's really flattering. Currently, I'm just taking a little break to see what unfolds.”

Over time, it became evident that Aston Martin was fervently chasing after Newey.

It is said that billionaire Lawrence Stroll personally showed him around the headquarters of Aston Martin.

Motorsport.com reports that Ferrari decided against engaging in a bidding competition with Aston Martin for Newey, thereby preventing a potential collaboration among three of the most significant entities in F1.

Aston Martin finds itself in an exhilarating situation as it moves ahead, thanks to its significant investment that led to securing Formula 1's most brilliant strategist.

For Ferrari, what could have been a significant setback a year ago, has turned into an opportunity for resurgence under the guidance of Frederic Vasseur. The addition of Loic Serra to the team is seen as a savvy decision.

Additionally, McLaren has demonstrated this season that having the fastest Formula 1 car doesn't strictly require the expertise of Adrian Newey.

The prospect of Hamilton, Newey, and Ferrari teaming up would have been an incredibly exciting scenario for F1 enthusiasts.

Regrettably, while we'll miss witnessing that unfold, the sport could see advantages in terms of competition, since the top driver won’t be teaming up with the leading designer at the foremost team.

Hamilton is firm in his belief that Newey always produces quality vehicles, a positive sign for Aston Martin.

In 2022, the present Mercedes pilot remarked, "Adrian Newey usually doesn't design inferior vehicles."

"My inaugural championship vehicle with McLaren in 2007 was a derivative of his design. He conducted an in-depth study on ground-effect vehicles. Unsurprisingly, he's among the few who manually sketches these cars."

"They've performed exceptionally well, and any previous comments I made regarding the team weren't intended to be derogatory. Years back, I referred to them as a beverage company, merely to emphasize that traditionally, one might place their bets on an automotive manufacturer. However, they've certainly shown me and everyone else otherwise."

"It's not shocking, considering Adrian focused on ground effect vehicles for his university thesis, that he has achieved and developed what he has this year."

The collaboration between Hamilton and Newey could have become a reality, but although it didn't occur on this occasion, it seems highly probable that they will remain competitors in the future, further contributing to their individual Formula 1 heritages.

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