In a recent statement, Lewis Hamilton addressed the speculation surrounding Adrian Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin in 2025 rather than Ferrari. Despite the buzz that Hamilton and Newey might have been a dream pairing at the Scuderia, the seven-time World Champion has expressed no disappointment over the outcome.
Hamilton, who has enjoyed immense success with both McLaren and Mercedes, reiterated his sense of privilege at having worked with two championship-winning teams even without Newey’s expertise. The Briton described it as an honor to have potentially collaborated with the renowned designer but emphasized that Newey’s choice to move to Aston Martin does not alter his focus or aspirations.
“Any team would have been thrilled to have Adrian Newey on board,” Hamilton said. “Ultimately, he made the decision that was best for him. It doesn’t change anything for me or my goals moving forward. I’m fully committed to what we can achieve with Mercedes and looking ahead.”
Newey, whose designs have amassed over 200 Grand Prix victories and 25 championships, had previously announced his departure from Red Bull and considered several options, including Ferrari. However, he confirmed his move to the Silverstone-based team, Aston Martin, during a high-profile event earlier this week.
Hamilton acknowledged the impact Newey could have had, stating, “It would have been a privilege to work with him, but I’ve already been fortunate to work with exceptional teams and achieve great success without him.”
Charles Leclerc, who is set to be Hamilton’s prospective teammate at Ferrari, shared a similar sentiment. The Monegasque driver, who was part of the discussions with Newey, expressed respect for his decision and confidence in Ferrari’s existing team dynamics.
“It’s not like we haven’t tried or spoken to Adrian,” Leclerc noted. “We know there were discussions, and we respect his decision. At Ferrari, we value the strength of the whole group over any single individual. We have an incredible team and are confident in our ability to return to the top.”
As the F1 season progresses, both Hamilton and Leclerc remain focused on their respective teams, ready to tackle the challenges ahead with renewed vigor and determination.
