Newey addresses Ferrari links after Red Bull exit

Adrian Newey has addressed speculation linking him with Ferrari for the first time after his Red Bull exit was announced.

On Wednesday, Newey's expected departure from Red Bull was made public, with the chief technical officer set to depart by the first quarter of 2025 after 19 seasons with the team.

Ferrari has long courted Newey's services, last doing so in 2014, with Aston Martin also known to have made a big-money offer for the Briton - whose cars have won 217 races and a combined 25 drivers' and constructors' titles.

RacingNews365 has also exclusively revealed that Williams could be in the frame for Newey's services.

Ferrari, however, is the favourite, with Newey taking questions on the possibility for the first time after Lewis Hamilton said it would be a "privilege" to team up with Newey at the Scuderia in 2025.

"Honestly, it is very kind for Lewis to say that, I am very flattered," Newey told Sky Sports F1.

"But at the moment, I am just going to take a little bit of a break, and see what happens next.

"Formula 1 is all-consuming, I've been at it for a long time now and 2021 was a really busy year, with the title fight with Mercedes, and at the same time, all the research and development into the RB18 - which is the father of this generation of car.

"There comes a point I think, where I just felt, as Forrest Gump said: 'I'm just feeling a little bit tired.'"

The recent uncertainty around Newey's future was believed to have stemmed from his unhappiness at the ongoing political row engulfing the team, based on the investigation into team principal Christian Horner.

Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female member of staff, and although an internal investigation dismissed the grievance in March, the situation sparked tension inside the team. It is understood Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff and advisor Helmut Marko were believed to have favoured relieving Horner of his duties.

Horner himself dismissed the idea that the unrest was a factor in the decision of Newey, who added: "I've been [considering it] for a while now if I am honest - I guess over the winter a little bit, and then as events have unfolded this year.

"I am in a very lucky position where I don't need to work to live. I work because I enjoy it, and it is a good time to step back and take a bit of a break, take stock of life and go travelling.

"Mandy, my wife and the dogs will probably go travelling in a motorhome or something down through France and just enjoy life, and then maybe at some point, I might be standing in the shower, and say: 'Right, this is going to be the next adventure'.

"Right now, there is no plan."