Red Bull and Aston Martin end dispute over aero guru Fallows

Aston Martin announced last year that it had signed Fallows from his role as head of aerodynamics at Red Bull to be its new technical director.

However, the deal became legal, with Red Bull insisting it would hold Fallows to the terms of his contract which ran until 2023.

Speaking at the time, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team had little interest in letting Fallows leave early.

“Our situation with Dan is really clear. He works on the [2021] car, he’s working on next year’s car,” he said in July.

“He still has plenty of time. He only signed the contract at the end of last year, so there is still an important period before mid-2023.

“We’re obviously going to keep him busy for the rest of his contract.”

Red Bull not wanting to make life easier, the matter went to court as Fallows and Aston Martin lobbied for an early release from the contract.

However, the two teams announced on Tuesday that they have reached a settlement that will allow Fallows to move teams this year. Terms of the agreement were not made public.

The deal means Fallows will be allowed to join Aston Martin on April 2 this year, to help the team progress with their new car.

In a brief statement, Martin Whitmarsh, Group Managing Director of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, welcomed the deal.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Red Bull which releases Dan early from his contract and we look forward to him joining the team,” he said.

Horner said, “We would like to thank Dan for his many years of excellent service and wish him well for the future.”

Fallows himself added: “I have had many happy years at Red Bull Racing and I am proud of what we have achieved. I look forward to next season and a new challenge.

Aston Martin had been keen to get Fallows on board as soon as possible as he offers to move up the grid after a disappointing 2021 campaign where he finished seventh in the constructors’ championship.