Adrian Newey has confirmed that he will officially leave Red Bull in March 2025, providing clarity on his departure date. The announcement comes after months of speculation following his initial statement in May 2023.

A cornerstone of Red Bull’s success since joining from McLaren in 2006, Newey has played a pivotal role in the team’s multiple championships with drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His innovative designs and engineering acumen have been fundamental to Red Bull’s dominance in Formula One.

 

 

 

Newey confirms Red Bull exit date

Despite stepping back from his main responsibilities with the F1 team to concentrate on the RB17 hypercar project, Newey has maintained a presence at key races such as the Miami, Monaco and British Grands Prix. He continues to advise drivers and contribute to race strategies, while also meeting with potential RB17 customers.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Newey explained his new role: “I’ve been doing a bit of talking to the drivers, and then a bit of strategy through the races, but it’s also been about meeting customers – RB17 customers and customers.”

He insisted that his involvement with Red Bull would continue in various capacities after his official retirement in March 2025. His son, Harry Newey, will continue to work on the RB17 project to ensure a seamless transition.

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Declining dominance

Meanwhile, the Formula One Red Bull RB20, driven by F1 world champions Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, has fallen far short of the dominance of its 2023 predecessor. This dramatic change has left many fans and analysts questioning the reasons behind the drop in performance.

Recent revelations suggest that the roots of the problem may lie in the team’s decision to ignore critical feedback from their renowned engineer, Adrian Newey.

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Ignoring expert warning from Newey

On Wednesday, Italian motorsport website ‘formu1a.uno’ sparked a major debate by reporting that Newey had been highly critical of various design elements of the RB20. Despite his expertise and past successes, his opinions were overruled by the technical management team led by Pierre Wache.

One particular issue highlighted in the report was the RB20’s cooling system. During the season, Red Bull introduced narrower air intakes on the upper sidepods and smaller inlets on the Halo system to improve performance at low and medium speeds.

However, Newey was vocally opposed to these changes. According to a source within the team quoted by ‘formu1a.uno’, Newey “hated” the small openings on the Halo system, which he felt would affect the overall performance of the car.

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Newey’s waning influence

This incident is seen as indicative of a wider trend: Adrian Newey’s diminishing influence on Red Bull’s car designs. Unlike previous models, where Newey’s vision was paramount, design responsibility for the RB20 was spread across several technical managers. This diffusion of authority appears to have led to design decisions that were not in line with Newey’s approach.

The internal dynamics at Red Bull have reportedly become increasingly difficult for Newey. The situation was exacerbated by the controversies surrounding team principal Christian Horner at the start of the season, making the working environment even more difficult for the veteran engineer.

 

 

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Newey’s departure

It has been clear for some time that Newey’s time at Red Bull could be coming to an end. Initially, rumours suggested that he could be heading to Ferrari. However, more recent reports have pointed to a possible move to Aston Martin.

Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, is said to have made Newey a generous offer. Just a few days ago, Newey reportedly met with Stroll over dinner to discuss his future, suggesting a possible career change.

The BBC reported that Ferrari, who had initially been favourites to sign Newey, saw their hopes diminish due to concerns over his potential influence and salary demands. This opened the door for Aston Martin, who, having lost technical director Enrico Cardile to Ferrari, were keen to add Newey’s expertise to their team.

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Implications for Red Bull’s future

The potential departure of Adrian Newey could have significant implications for Red Bull. Recognised as one of the most successful designers in F1 history, his expertise and innovative designs have been integral to the team’s success over the years. The loss of such a key figure could exacerbate the team’s current challenges and impact its future performance.

Newey’s confirmed departure in March 2025 marks the end of an era for Red Bull. His contribution to the team has been invaluable and his innovative spirit has been the driving force behind much of its success. The transition period leading up to his departure will be critical for Red Bull as they adapt to a new era without their legendary designer. Red Bull will need to consolidate their technical team and perhaps look for new talent to fill the void left by Newey’s departure.

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Bottom line

In conclusion, Red Bull’s apparent decision to overlook Adrian Newey’s advice on the design of the RB20 could be a critical factor in their lacklustre performance this season. As Red Bull navigate this period of internal discord and potential changes to their technical team, the long-term impact on their dominance of Formula One remains to be seen. The motorsport community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what it means for the future of both Red Bull and Adrian Newey.

The situation at Red Bull highlights the delicate balance between innovation and collaboration in Formula One. The dynamics within a team can have a significant impact on its performance on the track. As Red Bull looks to the future, the lessons learned from this period will be crucial in shaping their strategy and ensuring they remain at the forefront of Formula One. The departure of Adrian Newey will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment, and the team’s response to this change will be closely scrutinised by fans and competitors alike.

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