Citing off-track dramas with members of the Formula 1 team, Red Bull Racing generation boss Adrian Newey told the BBC on Thursday his goal to leave RBR when his contract expires in 2025.
Adrian Newey has announced at the helm of the team that he is leaving Red Bull, according to Autosport. #F1 pic. twitter. com/nI0f1uwP5Y
Newey’s departure in 2025 is a major blow for Red Bull Racing. He is the culprit behind the team’s dominant cars in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and one of the most reputable people in the F1 paddock.
It’s a shame that F1 is limited to the track. If that were the case, Red Bull Racing would be the clear winner of the 2024 season. He has won 4 of the five Grands Prix and is 44 points ahead of second-placed Ferrari in the standings. Classification of builders.
Beyond the statistics, however, Red Bull’s 2024 season has been volatile.
While drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez excelled on track, Red Bull’s leadership became embroiled in an ego-driven power struggle. Team principal Christian Horner has faced credible allegations of harassment and controlling behaviour. Meanwhile, the head of driver progression, Helmut Marko, and Verstappen. Father Jos took advantage of the scandal to stand up to the media and question Horner’s leadership abilities.
Horner, Marko and Verstappen Sr. retained their places at Red Bull despite the drama they created, but their antics had accidental consequences.
Newey’s automotive designs put Red Bull Racing on the map in 2010 and his technical know-how is irreplaceable.
To make matters worse, Newey may not leave F1 entirely. He may simply bring his wealth of experience to another F1 team. The BBC showed that Aston Martin and Ferrari had discussed possible long-term contracts with Newey.
Both have merit for Newey.
Aston Martin is building a world-class design facility (with a personal wind tunnel for aerodynamic research) out of Newey’s existing offices in Milton Keynes, England. Ferrari, on the other hand, is an established F1 logo with legions of enthusiasts in Italy and beyond.
Newey said his two biggest dreams in F1 were racing with Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton, the British driver who will sign up for Ferrari next year. Newey could shatter any of those dreams in one fell swoop.
Just create in a Ferrari F1 car designed by Adrian Newey and driven by Lewis Hamilton. Here’s a reminder of what Hamilton said about a possible Ferrari move to Newey in Saudi Arabia. . . #F1 #AdrianNewey #RedBull pic. twitter. com/ Bgx4q66PfV
Newey’s departure shows that what happens off the track in F1 is just as important, if not more so, than what happens on it. Red Bull dominates the track, but its behind-the-scenes drama is pushing the architect of its good luck to seek greener pastures.
The F1 season continues on May 5 with the Miami Grand Prix.
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