It is difficult not to overstate the importance of Adrian Newey at Red Bull, given his unparalleled knowledge of Formula 1’s complicated and intricate mechanics. The design guru’s exit from the world champions is set to shake up the sport.
When Christian Horner first acquired Newey’s services in late 2005, following a season of courting and purposely bumping into Newey around the paddock to build a rapport, it was a sign that Red Bull was here to stay and here to win. Now, however, there is uncertainty surrounding the team’s future and whether they can extend their dominance in the years to come without Newey.
Red Bull’s Era of Dominance
Five years later, the energy drinks giant turned F1 team won their first world championship with Sebastian Vettel. Six championships have followed in the years since, largely due to Newey’s genius.
After last week’s revelation, confirmed on Wednesday ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Newey is to leave Red Bull after 18 years at the team in what amounts to earth-shaking news in the world of F1. The current furore surrounding Horner and allegations of coercive behaviour towards a female colleague, along with the rumblings of team politics the probe has blown wide open, has unsettled Newey to the point that he is keen on pastures new.
Contractual Complexities
There are still many moving parts. Newey is on a £10m-a-year contract until the end of 2025. His immediate future, once he departs Red Bull at the start of 2025, remains uncertain in relation to joining another team, which might only occur in 2026. As such, his influence on a new outfit may not be seen until a year or two after that.
Losing their chief technical officer is a seismic blow to Red Bull, the sport’s dominant frontrunners, and opens up a world of opportunities for their competitors.
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A Legendary Career
Newey is regarded as the greatest car designer in F1 history. He is old school, still crafting new designs with a pencil in his notebook and known for using the pre-race chaos on the grid to keep an eye on Red Bull’s rival cars. The 65-year-old first made his name during Williams’ successful era in the early-90s before moving on to McLaren in 1997, where he tasted victory with Mika Hakkinen. Over 30 years in the sport has seen him win 12 constructors’ championships.
His vast and unique knowledge of the current regulations – he wrote a thesis at university in Southampton on ground-effect aerodynamics – is unmatchable across the vast array of Oxbridge-educated engineers in the paddock. When Mercedes and other teams experienced porpoising of their cars in 2022, Red Bull were unaffected. Newey saw the issue coming – and altered the car appropriately. Max Verstappen’s utter dominance in the last two years, winning 38 of the last 49 races, is down to Newey’s philosophy.
Indisputably, with the RB18, RB19 and this year’s RB20, he has designed one of Formula 1’s most dominant range of cars.
Speculation Surrounding Newey’s Next Move
It makes his next move – if there is a next move, as he is in his mid-60s and may wish to take early retirement – absolutely fascinating. All speculation points to Ferrari at this stage, with a dream partnership with Lewis Hamilton next year, mere fantasy a matter of months ago, now a distinct possibility. Newey has never worked for Ferrari, rejecting three offers over the years from the Scuderia.
He last year admitted he harbours an “emotional” regret that he has never worked for the sport’s most illustrious outfit. He was close in 1993 but didn’t want to move to Italy. Now, there’s speculation his wife Amanda is looking at properties around Maranello. Newey was reportedly pictured at Bologna airport a few weeks ago.
All the signs make Ferrari the most likely destination for his services. Newey has never worked with Hamilton, either; if the Brit had any lingering doubt about moving from Mercedes to the prancing horse next year, the acquisition of Newey would wipe that into oblivion. For Ferrari and for the sport, it would be a dream partnership.
Ferrari boss John Elkann and team principal Fred Vasseur should move heaven and earth to land Newey in the months ahead. It could be the fine detail which propels them back to the front of the pack.
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Potential Competitors for Newey’s Expertise
But there’s still some way to go in this tale. Aston Martin, on the rise with Fernando Alonso and billions of pounds worth of investment from owner Lawrence Stroll, are interested and have already tabled a big-money offer. Should Newey want to stay in the UK, Aston is the obvious pick. Horner could yet persuade him to stay at Red Bull. Yet a Ferrari final hurrah, to coincide with Hamilton’s last dance, is the romantic next step.
Wherever Newey’s future lies beyond Red Bull, his input would not be seen immediately. Red Bull will win the championship this year and likely in 2025, too. Yet new regulations in 2026 could shake the pack up and Newey’s influence will be key. If he steals a march like he did in 2022 – the last regulation change – the consequences for whoever has his services will be monumental. We wait to see what happens next.
Steiner Hits Out and is Skeptical
Amidst this backdrop, Günther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, remains unconvinced about the likelihood of Newey joining Ferrari. Speaking in an interview with “talkSPORT,” Steiner expressed his doubts by hitting out at the idea: “I don’t think he’ll go to Ferrari. But what do I know? I guess he doesn’t even know where he’ll go next,” Steiner commented, offering a candid assessment of the situation.
Steiner’s remarks reflect the broader uncertainty surrounding Newey’s future in the sport, despite widespread speculation linking him with Ferrari.
“Obviously he’s looking around for what he wants to do next.”
The Appeal of Maranello
The speculation around Newey’s potential move to Ferrari stems from the allure of Maranello, home to one of the most storied teams in Formula 1 history. The possibility of Newey bringing his design expertise to Ferrari has captivated fans and pundits alike. Yet, Steiner cautions against assuming this outcome is inevitable.
“Just because everyone thought the designer would end up in Maranello doesn’t mean that it will happen,” Steiner noted, emphasising the unpredictable nature of Newey’s decision-making process.
Possible Alternatives
If Newey decides against joining Ferrari, several factors could be at play. Steiner speculates that a reluctance to relocate to Italy might be one reason. Alternatively, Newey might have received a more enticing offer from another team, such as Aston Martin.
“Perhaps the reason is that he doesn’t want to move to Italy. Or that he has received an offer from Aston Martin that he can’t refuse. Sometimes there are offers like that,” Steiner suggested. These possibilities highlight the range of options available to Newey as he contemplates his next move.
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Enjoying the Uncertainty
Steiner also noted that Newey might be relishing the current uncertainty. The prolonged period of indecision allows Newey to carefully weigh his options without feeling rushed.
“It’s really nice when someone wants you, but you’re not in a hurry to make a decision,” Steiner observed. This sentiment underscores the luxury that Newey enjoys as a highly sought-after talent in the Formula 1 paddock.
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A Misfit at Ferrari?
While Steiner refrains from definitively ruling out a move to Ferrari, he remains sceptical about its likelihood. He points out that Ferrari is already in the process of building its team and may have made commitments to other personnel that could complicate Newey’s integration.
“I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll go to Ferrari at the moment. They’re already building their team with people, so they have a plan. And maybe promises were made to these people and Adrian wouldn’t fit in,” Steiner explained. This analysis suggests that Ferrari’s current strategic direction might not align with accommodating a high-profile addition like Newey.
As the autumn and winter deadlines approach, the Formula 1 community eagerly awaits Adrian Newey’s decision. While the allure of Ferrari remains strong, Steiner’s scepticism and the various factors at play suggest that Newey’s next move is far from certain.
Whether he ends up in Maranello or elsewhere, Newey’s decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the competitive landscape of Formula 1. For now, the speculation continues, with all eyes on one of the sport’s most influential figures.
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As the 2025 Formula One season begins to take shape, uncertainty looms over one of its key figures – Adrian Newey. The renowned engineer is the subject of intense speculation as several teams vie for his signature. Despite the intense interest, a final decision on his future appears to be some time away.
Recent reports suggesting that Newey had already decided to join a new team were premature. The 65-year-old has yet to commit to Ferrari, Aston Martin, Williams or any other team. And according to Newey, that is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Currently, Newey is immersed in his work on the RB17, Red Bull’s hypercar, as he revealed to…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
