Adrian Newey, the celebrated Formula 1 designer, recently had an exciting opportunity to drive the legendary Lotus 49B during the 14th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique at the Monaco Circuit. The Lotus 49B is a true classic, having carried Graham Hill to championship success in 1968. Although Newey’s R8 chassis only entered four Grands Prix, it remains an iconic piece of racing history. Despite not earning any silverware of its own, it’s fascinating to see Red Bull’s outgoing genius behind the wheel of this historic car.
Adrian Newey at the wheel of Lotus 49B with No 3 for the #GrandPrixMonacoHistorique at the #MonacoCircuit today#F1 pic.twitter.com/DlNGxGBCyx
— Desi Racing Co. (@DesiRacingco) May 10, 2024
In this class, the public couldn’t miss the Lotus 49B driven by Adrian Newey! The 65-year-old British engineer, who will be leaving the Red Bull Racing team at the end of the year, put in a good showing in the middle of this wild field, finishing in 8th place.
The Monaco Historique event features a variety of evocative cars from different eras, including the Lotus 72 and the Ferrari 312B3. Adrian Newey’s participation adds an extra layer of excitement for visitors, as he drives his own Lotus 49B. Interestingly, Newey’s connection to the Lotus 49B goes back even further. His passion for the car began with a model kit from Tamiya—a 1/12th scale replication of the red-and-yellow-liveried machine driven by Graham Hill and other F1 legends around the world’s circuits.
Adrian Newey’s Future Move: From Red Bull to Ferrari?
After nearly two decades with the team, Newey seeks new challenges and opportunities. His departure opens up exciting possibilities for other teams, and Ferrari appears to be at the forefront of the race to secure his services.
Ferrari, a team steeped in history and success, is eyeing Newey as a potential addition. While no official deal has been confirmed, reports suggest that Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur met with Newey in London before the Miami Grand Prix. If Newey decides to stay in F1, Ferrari could be the ideal destination for him.
Ferrari’s pursuit of Newey aligns with the upcoming 2026 car and engine regulations. Newey’s lateral thinking and ability to challenge conventions could be a game-changer for the Scuderia. His influence on car design has often set his teams apart from the competition, and Ferrari aims to capitalize on that. However, as Adrian Nwewy said he wished to take a break before joining another team.
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