In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the F1 paddock, legendary car designer Adrian Newey has jumped ship from Red Bull to Aston Martin, lured by an eye-watering £30 million annual salary package that includes bonuses and shares. The Silverstone-based team, backed by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, has pulled out all the stops to secure Newey’s services as they aim to challenge for world championships.

Newey’s pay packet is so substantial that it dwarfs the salaries of most F1 drivers, with only the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen earning more. When questioned by the BBC about what justifies his hefty compensation, Newey humbly responded, “Better ask Lawrence… I don’t know. I’m just me. I am in a very fortunate position where I don’t need to work now. I could retire and have a comfortable lifestyle very easily. But I still love the job that I’m doing.”

The decision to leave Red Bull after nearly two decades wasn’t an easy one for Newey. He admitted to feeling “a bit stale” towards the end of his tenure, similar to his experience at McLaren in 2005. Despite being approached by other top teams like Ferrari and McLaren, Newey ultimately chose Aston Martin due to their ambitious vision under Stroll’s leadership.

Newey’s passion for design and the challenge of making cars go faster is what gets him out of bed in the morning. The reception he received from Aston Martin employees was a “pinch yourself” moment, but he tries to keep himself immune from the outside media, focusing solely on his craft.

With a net worth of $50 million and a track record that includes over 150 Grand Prix victories and 10 Constructors’ Championships, Newey’s move to Aston Martin is a game-changer. As the British team gears up to take on the giants of F1, all eyes will be on Newey to see if he can weave his magic once again and propel Aston Martin to the top of the podium.