Mercedes chief reacts to prospect of Newey signing

Mercedes technical director James Allison has asserted he has no concerns over the prospect of working with Adrian Newey.

Newey, Red Bull's chief technical officer, will leave the team in early 2025 and bring an end to his long and highly successful association with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Mercedes is believed to be one of the teams pursuing Newey's signature, with the Briton hinting last week that he is not quite ready to call time on his F1 career after his Red Bull exit.

With Allison currently overseeing Mercedes' technical operations, the 56-year-old was asked if it would be possible to work with Newey at the team.

"That is quite a hypothetical question but I see no reason why not," Allison told Sky Sports.

"You'd have to be reasonably clear about who was doing what.

“I think that any team that's looking at Adrian on the market as a person who is pretty effective would be asking the same question of how you bring a guy like that in and make the most of him.”

'He would make any team quick'

Other teams have also been linked to Newey's services, including Aston Martin and Williams, with Newey enjoying championship success with the latter in the 1990s.

With such a strong reputation attached to his name, Allison has predicted a “lively market” in pursuit of Newey.

“Adrian can be useful for any team that graces his presence,” Allison added. “He is a legend in this sport, look at what he's done, look at the success he's had. 

“There's absolutely no doubt that he would make any team he joins quicker. The team would definitely have to organise themselves to get the best from such a relationship. 

“But he would make any team quick and I have little doubt there'll be a lively market for that.”