Jos Verstappen said he was already “afraid” that Red Bull would “be in danger of collapsing” earlier this season, but that is further amplified now that Adrian Newey is leaving the team.
On Wednesday it was confirmed that the team’s lead generation manager will leave in the first quarter of 2025 after completing the Red Bull RB17 hypercar project, taking a step back from his Formula 1 design process to do so, after nearly two decades in his role. .
Newey is at the helm of the branch that has designed every Red Bull championship winner since they entered the sport, having joined the team in 2006 from McLaren.
PlanetF1. com understands that the terms of his departure deserve to also allow him to sign for a Formula 1 rival after the first quarter of 2025, if he wishes to remain in the sport, and his signing is likely to be highly sought-after. – along with Ferrari and Aston Martin related to the quest to steal Newey from Red Bull.
Former Formula 1 driver Verstappen, father of reigning three-time world champion Max, who signed a contract with Red Bull until 2028, believes the move could be dangerous for the team in the future.
Having had rumours in the past that Red Bull’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko could be suspended earlier this year, but that they were unfounded, Verstappen believes Newey’s departure is a sign that “key people” may leave the team.
“The team is in danger of collapsing. I feared it this year,” Verstappen told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“For inner peace, the key is for other people to stay on board. This is not the case now.
“Newey is leaving and earlier this year it also looked like Helmut was going to be fired. For the future, it’s not good.
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As for Newey himself, he explained that he felt the time had come to move on to something new, to complete the RB17 before setting off and to pass the “baton” from the technical team to others within the Red Bull organisation.
“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a fast car designer,” Newey said.
“My dream was to be an engineer in Formula 1, and I was lucky enough to make that dream come true. For nearly two decades, it has been a wonderful honour for me to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progression from newcomer to multi-title-winning team.
“However, I think it’s the right time to pass the baton to others and challenge myself.
“In the meantime, the final stages of the RB17’s progression are just around the corner, so for the rest of my time with the team, I’ll be on it. I would like to thank the many wonderful people I have worked with at Red Bull over the past few years. Beyond the age of 18 for his talent, determination and hard work.
“It has been a real privilege and I am confident that the engineering team is well prepared for the work leading up to the final evolution of the car within the four years of these regulations being in force. “
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