Newey: “Mercedes will still be ahead in 2015”

Adrian Newey, waiting to discover the cars for next season, explained that it is unlikely that Renault and Ferrari will be able to close the performance gap against Mercedes. The new coordinator of the Red Bull Technology Centre, in an interview given to Sky Sports F1, stated that the engine, unlike the last five years, has returned to having a key role in the design of the cars, so much so that a great manufacturer like Mercedes literally managed to dominate the first championship with hybrid V6s. A new era that does not excite the coach from Stratford-upon-Avon.

“Could Renault and Ferrari reach the level of Mercedes?” asked Adrian Newey. “It will certainly be a difficult challenge and we don't even know where Honda, which has yet to debut, will position itself. With a less powerful engine and a superior chassis you cannot win, and vice versa. You need to have a reasonable balance between powertrain and chassis, which, in my opinion, is necessary. Clearly, the engine took on a dominant role last year and we saw this with the leap forward made by Williams. Logically they did a good job, but I think the engine itself made most of the difference."

The English coach then addressed the Vettel topic: “He wants to walk on his own two feet and discover new things. It is the natural curiosity that is part of life and by virtue of which we try to understand how we might find ourselves in a different environment. I can understand why he made this decision. He is a truly brilliant boy and, unfortunately for us, I am sure that he will bring to Ferrari those qualities that he undoubtedly does not lack and that we know about."

On the America's Cup he finally concluded: “It's a parallel sector and basically the problems are all the same. But I've spent my whole career in motor racing and it would be quite arrogant to think I could be responsible for the design. We are consultants and I have just started thinking of ideas regarding some components. Road cars could be an idea for the future. I'm always interested in drawing all kinds of things."

Roberto Valenti
Twitter: @RobertoVal94