Charles Leclerc says Ferrari ‘value the group more than an individual’ after Adrian Newey signs for Aston Martin

Charles Leclerc has offered his take on Adrian Newey agreeing to join Aston Martin, with a host of other Formula 1 teams, including Ferrari, showing an interest before he put pen to paper.

Aston Martin announced Newey’s 2025 arrival as their new Managing Technical Partner earlier this week, ending months of speculation over where the legendary F1 designer would go after parting ways with Red Bull.

In the build-up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Leclerc was asked if he felt sad that Newey – whose cars have claimed 25 world titles and more than 200 Grand Prix victories – did not end up signing for the Scuderia.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 12: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari looks on in the Paddock — Leclerc said he “completely respects” Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin

“I would be disappointed if we didn’t try or didn’t speak with Adrian,” said Leclerc. “We spoke with Adrian as a team and at the end he made his choice, and I completely respect the choice of Adrian of going somewhere else.

“In Ferrari, we have always valued the group more than one individual. Of course, Adrian Newey is Adrian Newey and he is incredible for everything he has achieved, but we have incredible individuals in Ferrari and I believe a lot more in the group.

“I’m sure we have the right team to come back at the top. Again, I respect Adrian’s decision and he will be working alongside one of his favourite drivers, which is Fernando [Alonso], [so] I wish him the best, but I hope that Ferrari will come out on top.”

Also asked to comment on the situation was Lewis Hamilton, who will be moving over from Mercedes to replace Carlos Sainz as Leclerc’s team mate next season.

Adrian Newey moves to Aston Martin

Speaking in May, shortly after Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull was announced, the seven-time world champion admitted that it would be a “privilege” to work with the “amazing” engineering talent.

“I mean, I spoke about it before, I think anyone would want to work with Adrian, and it would have been nice, but it’s just one person,” he said in Baku.

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“What I’m most excited about is working with a whole team of people that are passionate and not had a huge amount of success, or at least a championship, in a long, long time. It’ll be great to join that and get on that journey together.”