Newey to quit McLaren?
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motor
Be interesting to see if he does really go this time (after 'Jag-gate'), or if Ron opens the chequebook again. Even with him, I can't see Red Bull being at the front of the grid without 'works' backing, but it'll be interesting to see what impact he can make.
Be interesting to see if he does really go this time (after 'Jag-gate'), or if Ron opens the chequebook again. Even with him, I can't see Red Bull being at the front of the grid without 'works' backing, but it'll be interesting to see what impact he can make.
mg511 said:Having said that, they don't exactly have a bad engine next year - and Mr Newey managed pretty well with only one wind tunnel at Maclaran. Turns out that Red Bull have one of the best tunnels that there is - it may be a bit old, but is built in a nuclear bunker and is therefore very stable.
Even with him, I can't see Red Bull being at the front of the grid without 'works' backing, but it'll be interesting to see what impact he can make.
Interesting times!
I reckon he just got fed up of "Ron speak". He has said before he doesnt want to be in motor racing forever and would like to explore his other passions (sailing or something) so maybe Red Bull will open up that door for him once hes served his time there and won a few more championships. But then again, would Ferrari or even the FIA allow Red Bull to beat them with the same engines? Best keep those worms in the tin.
mg511 said:Talking of opening chequebooks, I'm surprised Ferrari haven't opened their chequebook wide for him. After all, they have had enormously deep pockets for years and a desire to win at all costs.
Be interesting to see if he does really go this time (after 'Jag-gate'), or if Ron opens the chequebook again.
JonRB said:
Be interesting to see if he does really go this time (after 'Jag-gate'), or if Ron opens the chequebook again.
But perhaps they're concerned about his commitment to F1 for a long enough period - they have built their success on stability - that's about to change in 2006 and I'm sure they'd want to replicate their recent success by building a team that's in it for the long term.
RD did offer Newey the opportunity to try other projects, but that was before Paragon consumed most of McLaren's spare cash and before Mercedes increased its stake. Only hypothesis, but I think that Newey's move may have been on the back of RD and Mansour Ojjeh selling their stake to Mercedes, which perhaps further diluted Newey's chances of doing something different (plus the demise of the raod car division left him even fewer options)
I must say I didn't see this one coming, despite being a keen follower of the tech side of F1 and particularly Newey's work.
Something of a blow for McLaren I have to say, and a coup for Red Bull. No doubt the Mac boys will have strength in depth at the Design Office to fill his shoes in the meantime, but it can't be good in the long term, either in terms of the loss of his input into the designs or indeed the risk of other staff following him to RBR. However, perhaps this new appointment will mean he will have design control over of both the "works" RBR team as well as the ex-Minardi "B" team? Plenty to go at there, if he's after a challenge.
I remember Newey in the past expressing a desire for a new challenge, but IIRC it was reported that he fancied designing some kind of racing yacht. However, I would have loved to see a Newey-designed road car (given his personal ownership of a ridiculously powerful Elise), but I didn't realise the Mclaren road car division had gone kaput - what will Gordon Murray do now?
Rubystone makes an interesting point - when Newey left Williams it was reportedly due to the fact that Frank & Patrick wouldn't give him any greater say in the running of that organization. Perhaps he fears similar marginalisation in the event of a Merc takeover?
[k]
Something of a blow for McLaren I have to say, and a coup for Red Bull. No doubt the Mac boys will have strength in depth at the Design Office to fill his shoes in the meantime, but it can't be good in the long term, either in terms of the loss of his input into the designs or indeed the risk of other staff following him to RBR. However, perhaps this new appointment will mean he will have design control over of both the "works" RBR team as well as the ex-Minardi "B" team? Plenty to go at there, if he's after a challenge.
I remember Newey in the past expressing a desire for a new challenge, but IIRC it was reported that he fancied designing some kind of racing yacht. However, I would have loved to see a Newey-designed road car (given his personal ownership of a ridiculously powerful Elise), but I didn't realise the Mclaren road car division had gone kaput - what will Gordon Murray do now?
Rubystone makes an interesting point - when Newey left Williams it was reportedly due to the fact that Frank & Patrick wouldn't give him any greater say in the running of that organization. Perhaps he fears similar marginalisation in the event of a Merc takeover?
[k]
I think Mateschitz must have offered Newey something pretty special - and I doubt it's a year's supply of fizzy drink either. Perhaps Red Bull plan to play with more than just F1 cars - Class 1 offshore powerboats, Atlantic speed record...etc, etc...all of which would allow Newey to branch out...or perhaps he wants to go back to basics. I cannot see him getting on with Gunther Steiner though.
McLaren closed their road car division down late in 2004. What's Gordon Murray up to?...if I told you I'd then have to shoot you
As someone else said, even with resources as great at those at Toyota, it takes time to turn the tide.
I wonder...do you think that Mateschitz might dare to offer Schumacher massive amounts of cash to drive for him?...
McLaren closed their road car division down late in 2004. What's Gordon Murray up to?...if I told you I'd then have to shoot you
As someone else said, even with resources as great at those at Toyota, it takes time to turn the tide.
I wonder...do you think that Mateschitz might dare to offer Schumacher massive amounts of cash to drive for him?...
JonRB said:
Be interesting to see if he does really go this time (after 'Jag-gate'), or if Ron opens the chequebook again.
I have a neat little conspirasy theory that says AN is parked at RB for later transport to Ferrari.
Frik said:
McLaren closed their road car division down late in 2004.
Apologies, I should have made it clearer. A far as I am currently aware, after the 3,500th SLR has been produced (!) McLaren's plans, as at the end of 2004, were not to utilise the MTC to assemble any more road cars. That's ultimately the reason Gordon Murray left them.
rubystone said:There are plans, but no green light.
McLaren closed their road car division down late in 2004.
Apologies, I should have made it clearer. A far as I am currently aware, after the 3,500th SLR has been produced (!) McLaren's plans, as at the end of 2004, were not to utilise the MTC to assemble any more road cars. That's ultimately the reason Gordon Murray left them.
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