The philosophy of Frank Williams has always been clear: invest in the best engineers, and the top drivers will follow. This approach paid off in the 90s, when the likes of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna joined the Grove team in pursuit of championship titles. The mastermind behind those successful cars was none other than Adrian Newey, who was already renowned as one of the best in the business. Fast forward 35 years, and Newey’s genius has earned him a staggering reward – he’s set to become one of the top four highest-paid individuals in the F1 paddock, including drivers.
According to reputable sources like ‘RCN365’, which has a proven track record of accuracy when it comes to financial matters, Newey’s salary will skyrocket to $150 million over the next five years. That works out to a whopping $30 million per year, or approximately 145 million euros. This massive deal will put him in an elite group, with only three drivers – Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc – earning more than him. Verstappen takes the top spot with $65 million, followed by Hamilton with $60 million, and Leclerc with $34 million. Fernando Alonso, Aston’s lead driver, comes in fifth with an estimated $20 million annual salary.
The Big Picture
It’s worth noting that Newey’s package may not be entirely transparent, as it’s unclear whether the total amount includes the stock options that Lawrence Stroll included in his contract. As part of the deal, Newey became a partner in the company, and those stocks would need to be factored into the overall compensation over the five-year period. What is clear, however, is that this hefty sum will be exempt from the budget cap that all teams must adhere to, which is set at $135 million annually. Drivers and the two highest-paid non-driving employees are excluded from this cap, allowing teams to invest in top talent like Newey without worrying about blowing their budget.
The implications of this deal are significant, and it’s a testament to Newey’s value to the team. With his exceptional design skills and proven track record, he’s an asset that Aston Martin is willing to invest heavily in. As the team looks to push its way to the top of the F1 grid, having Newey on board will be a major advantage. And for fans, it’s exciting to think about what this could mean for the future of the sport – more competition, more innovation, and more thrilling racing. One thing’s for sure: with Newey at the helm, Aston Martin is ready to take on the best of the best in the world of F1.