Adrian Newey, the legendary Formula 1 designer known for his groundbreaking work with Red Bull Racing, has once again demonstrated his engineering prowess with the unveiling of the RB17 hypercar. The car, which draws heavily on Newey’s extensive F1 knowledge, was first unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and wowed motoring enthusiasts and experts alike.
Despite the challenges faced during its development, Newey and his team were able to overcome these obstacles, resulting in a car that promises to push the boundaries of performance. This amazing development comes during a period of great uncertainty as the British designer officially leaves the team for pastures new.
Red Bull Racing, the reigning Formula One World Champions, is facing a significant period of transition following the departure of two key figures: Adrian Newey, the legendary designer behind much of the team’s success, and Jonathan Wheatley, a stalwart of the Red Bull F1 operation for nearly two decades.
Both departures mark a pivotal moment for the team, which has opted for a strategy of internal promotion rather than seeking external replacements, reflecting a desire to maintain continuity and inject fresh energy into its ranks.
A new chapter: Adrian Newey’s legacy and departure
Adrian Newey, who has been a cornerstone of Red Bull Racing’s dominance in Formula One, announced his departure from the team in the first quarter of 2025. Newey’s impact on the team cannot be overstated; he has been instrumental in designing the cars that have won numerous championships for Red Bull, combining his unparalleled engineering skills with a deep understanding of aerodynamics to create cars that have consistently outperformed the competition.
Newey’s departure comes as he shifts his focus to the RB17 hypercar project, a personal endeavour that reflects his passion for pushing the boundaries of automotive design. The move has prompted Red Bull Racing to review its management structure, with the team considering how best to fill the void left by such an important figure.
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Internal Promotions: A strategic response to key departures
In the wake of Newey’s departure, Red Bull Racing has decided against a wholesale overhaul of its management structure. Instead, the team has opted to promote from within, a strategy seen as both a cost-effective solution in the era of Formula One’s strict financial regulations and a way of bringing fresh energy into the team. This internal promotion approach is designed to ensure that the team retains its competitive edge while overcoming the challenges posed by these high-profile departures.
Jonathan Wheatley, another key figure in the Red Bull Racing set-up, is also leaving the team to join Audi as Team Principal for their emerging Formula One project. Wheatley has been with Red Bull for 18 years and has been instrumental in the team’s operational success.
His departure, like that of Newey, has triggered a period of reflection within the team as it prepares to reorganise its management and operations.
The future leadership at Red Bull: Lambiase and Horner at the helm
While Christian Horner will continue to lead Red Bull Racing as Team Principal, the team is expected to see a reshuffling of responsibilities within its ranks. One of the key figures likely to take on increased responsibility is Gianpiero Lambiase, currently Head of Race Engineering and best known as Max Verstappen’s race engineer. Lambiase’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the team’s operations make him a strong candidate to steer Red Bull through this transitional period.
The decision to promote from within, rather than bring in external replacements, underlines Red Bull Racing’s commitment to continuity and belief in the strength of its existing team. By empowering those already within the organisation, the team aims to maintain its competitive spirit and continue its legacy of success in Formula One.
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Adrian Newey’s New Frontier: The RB17 hypercar
Even as Red Bull Racing navigates these significant changes, Adrian Newey’s influence continues to be felt in his latest project, the RB17 hypercar. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the RB17 is a testament to Newey’s enduring genius and ability to push the boundaries of automotive design. This hypercar, which incorporates many of the principles and technologies Newey honed during his time in Formula 1, represents a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Since retiring from Formula 1, Newey has devoted himself entirely to the RB17 project.
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Adrian Newey unveils the RB17: a hypercar with Formula 1 DNA
Newey’s journey to the RB17 began following his decision to step away from the Formula One project in May to concentrate on the hypercar.
The RB17, which weighs around 900 kilograms and produces an astonishing 1200 horsepower, is capable of matching the speeds of a Formula 1 car. This hypercar is not just about raw power; it is designed to provide a driving experience that can be enjoyed by a wide range of drivers, from experienced professionals to enthusiastic amateurs.
“We tried to design a car that a lot of people could drive, including someone with relatively limited experience,” explained Newey in an interview with RaceFans.
“The design philosophy behind the RB17 is to create a car that is both accessible and adaptable, allowing drivers to grow with the car. “You should be able to feel the car well. It should be friendly, not too reactive and not too difficult to drive,” continues Newey.
The car’s set-up can be adjusted to suit the driver’s developing skills, with the option to experiment with different tyres and downforce levels, ensuring that the RB17 can provide an exhilarating experience for drivers of all levels.
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Simulator Success: The surprising performance of an amateur driver
One of the most fascinating aspects of the RB17’s development has been its performance in the simulator, where it has already demonstrated its remarkable capabilities. Newey recounted an instance where a client, who is not a professional racer but an experienced amateur driver, took the car for a virtual spin around Silverstone.
Remarkably, this amateur driver was able to take a simulated pole position by one second – a testament to the RB17’s potential to deliver Formula 1 level lap times in the hands of non-professional drivers.
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Pioneering aerodynamics: A glimpse into the future of motorsport
The RB17 is not just a hypercar; it is a glimpse into the future of automotive engineering, incorporating elements of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. Newey revealed that the car generates more downforce in corners than its specially designed tyres can handle, a challenge that required innovative solutions.
The answer lies in active aerodynamics, with systems at the front and rear of the car that adjust to manage downforce – similar to technologies that will be used in Formula 1 cars from 2026.
This focus on aerodynamics is crucial, especially given the limitations of tyres at high speeds. Other manufacturers have addressed similar issues by limiting the top speed of their hypercars, such as the Bugatti Chiron, which is electronically limited to 150mph.
But the RB17, which weighs less than half as much as the Chiron and has a top speed of around 230 mph, takes a different approach.
“The tyres were a big consideration. We signed a contract with Michelin very early on to develop tyres specifically for the car,” explains Newey. To ensure safety and performance, the RB17’s active aerodynamics reduce downforce at speeds above 150mph.
Development of the RB17: from concept to reality
The development of the RB17 was a complex process that saw the car undergo numerous transformations. Newey’s vision for the hypercar was clear from the outset: it had to be as light as possible to avoid being restricted by its tyres at high speeds.
This led to the decision to equip the car with a non-turbo engine, a choice that was not without its challenges.
“The car went through a lot of iterations,” says Newey.
“It started with an electric motor on the front axle for front-wheel drive. But simulations showed that it was actually quicker to save the weight and just put it on the rear axle. The RB17 was originally designed with a twin-turbo V8 engine, but the desire for a non-turbo powertrain eventually won out.”
“Everybody wanted a non-turbo engine and the challenge was, how do we get a non-turbo engine that meets the power, package size and weight targets we set ourselves? It was quite a challenge,” admits Newey. However, the team’s perseverance paid off and the result is a powertrain that meets their ambitious targets.
A limited edition hypercar with a legacy
The RB17 is a testament to Adrian Newey’s genius and his ability to push the boundaries of automotive design. With only 50 units to be produced, the RB17 is as exclusive as it is innovative. The hypercar’s combination of cutting-edge technology, F1-inspired design and adaptive driving dynamics make it a standout in the world of high-performance cars.
As Newey and his team continue to refine the RB17, it is clear that this hypercar is not just a car, but a legacy – a symbol of what is possible when the boundaries of engineering and design are pushed to their limits.
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Virtual world is different from reality, so just because an amateur racer managed a lap time second faster than this year’s British GP pole time doesn’t mean he could achieve the same on the real Silverstone circuit.
Duh