Adrian Newey: “I was fired”

As March became Leyton House Racing in 1990, Adrian Newey gained promotion to the role of technical director. Highlight of 1990 for the car designed by Newey, was the French Grand Prix where Ivan Capelli finished second after a late pass from Alain Prost. But the performance of the team went downwards for the rest of the season.

In the summer of 1990, the Brit was fired, although he soon found another role. Newey later said: “I was fired, that’s true, but I’d already made up my mind I was going – because once a team gets run by an accountant, it’s time to move. Your self-confidence does suffer but Williams had approached me.”

The story is well known, the great aerodynamicist’s designed cars (Williams, McLaren and Red Bull) went on to win over 180 Grand Prix (winning streak is far from over), and numerous world titles.