Shadowy F1 guru signs absurd deal most drivers can only dream of

Minds are being blown around the Formula 1 world with a secretive F1 official signing a deal that 18 drivers can only dream about.

Adrian Newey will reportedly confirm his move to Aston Martin in coming days in what is reported to be one of the richest deals ever signed in the sport.

The technical genius announced in May he was leaving Red Bull to link up with billionaire Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll.

Newey became the most sought after figure in Formula 1 this year when he made his decision to leave Red Bull with Ferrari also reportedly throwing everything the team had at him.

However, it is the deep pockets of Stroll that have sealed the deal, as first reported by Sky Sports.

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Further details about the contract emerged on Saturday (AEST) with the BBC reporting Newey’s deal could be worth up to $295 million with bonuses and performance clauses.

The report claims Newey has signed a five-year deal that could be worth up to $60 million (£30m) per year.

That salary would dwarf 18 of the 20 drivers on the starting grid this year.

Only Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will earn more than Newey next year.

Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images.

Verstappen will reportedly pocket £54.97m next year, while Hamilton’s Ferrari deal is reportedly worth £35.46m per year.

With new technical regulations being introduced into the sport in 2026, Newey will spend 2025 designing Aston Martin’s car in a major coup for the Canadian owned team.

The deal is expected to be announced at the team’s headquarters at the iconic Silverstone track in the UK this week.

An Aston Martin spokesperson told the BBC: “Adrian has been linked to many teams and would be an asset to any team, but we don’t have anything to announce.”

By joining Aston Martin, Newey will work with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and is expected to play a key role in the design of their 2026 car, which will be the first season with new technical regulations.

Newey has proved on multiple occasions he can design a race-winning F1 car when changes to the regulations take place, showing that most recently in 2022 with Red Bull.

The 65-year-old has designed 14 championship-winning F1 cars during his time at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

Newey is a famously private figure who does his best to remain in the shadows, but there will be nowhere to hide when he starts work with Aston Martin next year with immense pressure to deliver a competitive car.

Originally published as Shadowy F1 guru signs absurd deal most drivers can only dream of