Adrian Newey to Ferrari? Is it possible?
Discussion
Jasandjules said:
In these circumstances I would imagine effectively a pre pack would be used.Company A let’s call it Racing Services Ltd, sells its assets to company B let’s call it Racing Services 2024 Ltd for £1.
The liabilities stay with Company A, New Co continues trading, without Old Co contracts, debts etc.
Un sure how RB could prevent it, there is no wrongful trading, no breach of The Companies Act.
Not sure how they could tie AN outside of the contact with his company, after all he is NOT an employee for cost cap purposes, he is a contractor.
(I am not a insolvency practitioner)
richhead said:
just remember that he isnt the only reason the rb is quick, he is one of hundreds of engineers at rb, he may have influence, , hes just one man, it takes a good team to make a car work
AN's history would beg to differ.Yes, of course he cant work in isolation, but he has often been the principle designer, setting a package and design targets that the 'hundreds' of engineers then need to coalesce into a workable design
but its often been his design language running throughout the whole machine.
Get rid of one of those hundreds and it would make little difference, get rid of AN...
well we will see,
Teatowell said:
Seems folk are missing the potential for breach of contract clauses to be triggered. Sure in normally circumstances he’ll
Have to be place on gardening leave. The CEO fking around and dragging the team through the mud possibly different.
As many have noted, it depends on the type of contract. A world of difference between a direct employee contract and a B2B contract with a "services" company. Have to be place on gardening leave. The CEO fking around and dragging the team through the mud possibly different.
Teatowell said:
Seems folk are missing the potential for breach of contract clauses to be triggered. Sure in normally circumstances he’ll
Have to be place on gardening leave. The CEO fking around and dragging the team through the mud possibly different.
It’s doesn’t matter, he provides his services via a Ltd company, or so we are lead to believe,so the company is the legal entity that enters a contract, borrows money, agrees penalty clauses etc etc.Have to be place on gardening leave. The CEO fking around and dragging the team through the mud possibly different.
To my understanding a non compete would render AN an employee certainly for tax purposes.
The directors are not liable for the company or its actions unless very narrow circumstances are met, usually revolving round knowingly trading whilst insolvent, not honouring contracts or walking away from commitments would not render directors liable.
Adrian Newey can open Racing Services 2024 tomorrow, sell the bits of Racing Services he wants to keep to the new co for £1 and stop answering the phone for the old Co.
The post about winding up is a complete red herring, I think all the old co needs to do is not actively trade for 3 months then go for voluntary strike off, providing the financials are in order, walking away from commitments is not going to stop this.
I am almost certain a customer cant object to voluntary strike off , directors can, shareholders can and creditors that’s it.
All RB could do is take legal action against the old company, that has no assets.
I just dont see how RB can stop AN doing this, I am not an insolvency practitioner but have opened companies, shut companies and been involved many times trying to get money out of companies “going bust” so know a bit about it.
Edited by nikaiyo2 on Sunday 28th April 21:28
Gary C said:
Remember, there is no point in pushing someone to stay as all they will do is design a crap car (intentionally or not)
Its not the way the game is played at this level of money.
As an American sports coach was quoted on here pages ago as saying, better a volunteer than a hostage.Its not the way the game is played at this level of money.
Leithen said:
Newey goes, taking advantage of clauses in his contract made relevant by Horner’s behaviour. Despite Wolff’s best efforts he heads to Modena.
Verstappen leaves immediately and goes to Mercedes due to clauses in his contract activated by Newey’s departure.
Sainz replaces Verstappen and wins the 2025 drivers championship. Leclerc finds Hamilton a handful and is not happy.
The Red Bull Powertrains PU is a dog and RB find themselves scrapping for points in 2026. Without Cowell, the Merc PU isn’t much better. Jos and Toto occupy opposite ends of pit garages and glare at each other.
The Ferrari PU is a rocket, Newey works his magic and Hamilton wins the next three WC’s whilst Leclerc wonders where it all went wrong.
Don't mind the moves but about where it stops being interesting. Verstappen leaves immediately and goes to Mercedes due to clauses in his contract activated by Newey’s departure.
Sainz replaces Verstappen and wins the 2025 drivers championship. Leclerc finds Hamilton a handful and is not happy.
The Red Bull Powertrains PU is a dog and RB find themselves scrapping for points in 2026. Without Cowell, the Merc PU isn’t much better. Jos and Toto occupy opposite ends of pit garages and glare at each other.
The Ferrari PU is a rocket, Newey works his magic and Hamilton wins the next three WC’s whilst Leclerc wonders where it all went wrong.
How about Newey decides he doesn't want to up sticks to Italy and takes a payday and goes to AM. With their increased aero the AM is competitive for race wins as the Red Bull is a bit draggy despite a decent new PU.
The Hamilton and Verstappen factors get the best out of a well rounded Ferrari and Merc packages and the McLarens carry on their upward trajectory.
We end up with 3-5 teams all fighting for race wins! No one guaranteed a podium.
... and then I wake up
Crudeoink said:
Has there been any official announcement from RB regarding Newey's exit ? I've not seen anything yet, but intrigued to see how they spin this one
No. I'd imagine there are negotiations ongoing trying to get him to stay and/or what happens if he goes. Wouldn't be the first time he's changed his mind if they do.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff