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Adrian Newey, the design genius who orchestrated Red Bull’s current dominance in Formula 1, will leave the world champions at the start of 2025 and “look for new challenges” in the sport.
The 65-year-old, who has worked at Red Bull since 2006, is the man praised by the existing generation of Red Bull cars that sees Max Verstappen dominating F1, with a fourth consecutive driver name likely this year.
However, following reports last week that Newey had informally told his Red Bull colleagues that he was looking to step down, the team confirmed that its technical director would be leaving the company at the start of 2025 and “retiring” from F1 this season.
Newey, who has a £10m-a-year contract, is expected to appear with the team on occasional race weekends, adding the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. He also races Red Bull’s RB17 sports car, a task he will continue until he leaves the team in 2025.
Red Bull’s A says: “The head of engineering will leave his Formula 1 design duties to concentrate on the final progression and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the long-awaited RB17.
“We would like to thank Adrian for our accomplishments in the time we have worked together so far. He was instrumental for us in winning seven Formula 1 championship titles and six constructors’ championship titles, totalling 118 wins and 101 pole positions, adding pole and the 2007 STR win. “
Newey said “this is an opportune time” to “seek new challenges. “He added: “Ever since I was a kid, I sought to be a fast car designer. My dream was to be an engineer in Formula 1, and I was lucky enough to make that dream come true.
“For almost two decades, it has been my honor to have played a key role in the progression of Red Bull Racing from a newcomer team to a multi-title winning team.
“However, I think it’s the right time to pass the baton to others and take on new challenges. In the meantime, the final stages of RB17’s progression are just around the corner, so for the rest of my time with the team, I’ll focus on that.
Newey had a contract until the end of 2025, signed last May, but is said to be unhappy with the existing struggle of forces within the team, centred on team principal Christian Horner and long-term adviser Helmut Marko, in the wake of the scandal that erupted. Horner, the head of F1.
Now, Newey is expected to leave early next year, with Ferrari being the most likely destination for his services, where he could form a partnership with Lewis Hamilton in Italy in 2025. Aston Martin has also made a significant offer.
The fight for strength at Red Bull stems from the investigation into Horner’s alleged “inappropriate behaviour” towards a colleague. Horner denies the charges and was acquitted after an internal investigation, the plaintiff – suspended with full pay – lately looks good with the verdict.
The tensions revealed between Horner and Marko, with Verstappen and his father Jos allegedly at Marko’s camp and majority Thai owner Chalerm Yoovidhya at Horner’s field.
Reacting to the news, Horner said: “All of our biggest moments over the last 20 years came with Adrian’s hand on the technical bar. His vision and genius helped us win thirteen titles in 20 seasons.
He added: “For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades and thirteen championships later, he leaves as a true legend. “
“He is also my friend and someone I will be grateful to for everything he has brought to our association. “
It remains to be seen what Newey’s departure means for Verstappen’s long career at Red Bull. The three-time world champion has a lucrative contract with the team until 2028 but has been linked with Mercedes in recent months in the wake of the Horner controversy. The past said he would make his career a long-term if Marko is expelled.
Newey with Williams and McLaren before his time at Red Bull and revealed on the Beyond the Grid podcast last year that Ferrari had presented him with a role three times, with a resolution in 1993 as the ultimate temptress.
“[Ferrari] reached out to me when I was in IndyCar, which probably doesn’t count, and then in 1993 and especially in 2014,” he said. “The one in 1993 is very tempting. “
However, Newey explained that the breakup of his first marriage, affected by his time in the United States in IndyCar, meant that he decided to move to Maranello, Ferrari’s headquarters in Italy, due to his second marriage.
Another breakthrough in 2014, Newey admitted, due to Red Bull’s engine problems at the start of Mercedes’ dominance in the hybrid era.
“My conversations in 2013 with Ferrari were purely out of frustration,” Newey said. “I didn’t need to leave, but we were in a position where Renault hadn’t produced a competitive turbo hybrid engine.
“We went to see Carlos Ghosn [former Renault CEO] to try to force him to increase the budget. Ghosn’s reaction was: “Well, I have no interest in Formula 1. I’m only there because my marketers say I’ll be there. ” It was such a miserable place.
Asked if he regretted turning down Ferrari, Newey replied: “Emotionally, I guess, to a certain extent. Yes, but like, for example, racing with Fernando and Lewis would have been fabulous. But that never happened. Sometimes it’s just a matter of circumstance, that’s right.
Newey has been involved in seven F1 driver victories at Red Bull and looks set for an eighth, while Verstappen has already won four of five races this season. The Briton won a total of 12 constructors’ championships with three other teams throughout his career and one successful Formula 1 race.