There’s yet another twist in the Adrian Newey saga. But this time, the revelation will cool all speculations rather than fire them up. A few days ago, it was reported that after giving Newey a private tour of Aston Martin’s new HQ, billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll gave him a deadline to respond to their offer by the end of the British GP weekend. But the latest development about the ex-Red Bull CTO’s exit agreement postpones him from signing an official contract with a rival.

Adrian Newey knows the ins and outs of Red Bull‘s technical developments and history. Having worked under Christian Horner’s leadership for 19 years, the technical guru also had the maximum freedom to innovate. Though he continues with the team till the first quarter of 2025, Red Bull hasn’t enforced the usual 12-month gardening leave post-that, which is why the Ferrari and Aston Martin negotiations are in full swing for next year.

However, there was one condition that the Milton Keynes outfit put forth. As per Motorsport, Newey’s severance package also constraints him from committing to another F1 team before September this year. Between this and his exit, there would then be a 6-month gap, at least, ensuring no loss of intellectual property from Red Bull if Newey does join a rival over choosing retirement.

So, the rumor mill interested in the Briton’s future will be silenced for at least two months. For Newey’s manager, Eddie Jordan, it is great news. Jordan was losing patience with the endless speculation about his client’s future. But what F1 analysts/experts continue to say cannot be ended so easily. Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has a unique take on Ferrari and Aston Martin’s tug-of-war for Newey.

Guenther Steiner rules out Adrian Newey’s move to Ferrari

Before Lawrence Stroll made Aston Martin’s bold ambitions known to Adrian Newey, Ferrari was the favorite to sign F1’s most successful car designer. Having poached Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, what couldn’t the invincible Frederic Vasseur-led team do? But the tides have completely shifted now. Even Guenther Steiner doesn’t believe in Ferrari’s bid now.

“I don’t think he’s going to Ferrari, but what do I know? I think he doesn’t know himself where he’s going next,” Steiner told talkSPORT, adding, “Just because everyone thought [he was going to Ferrari] doesn’t mean he will. Obviously, he’s looking around at what he wants to do next. Maybe the reason will be because he doesn’t want to go to Italy, or he’s got an offer from Aston Martin that he cannot refuse.”

The F1 Boss-turned-media person reiterated his stance, labeling a Newey to Ferrari transfer “very unlikely”. At a motorsport gala ahead of the British GP, Newey himself admitted how the winter break would be his final deadline to decide for 2025. Either he joins Red Bull’s rivals or kicks back and takes retirement – either decision will induce an uproar on social media.