Adrian Newey reflects on Red Bull’s decline: “Not many seemed worried” – Red Bull Racing entered the 2024 Formula One season as the team to beat, riding the momentum of an utterly dominant 2023 campaign. With Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at the wheel, the team set new records and looked poised to extend their supremacy.

However, as the season progressed, cracks began to appear in their performance. Once seemingly invincible, Red Bull found themselves struggling to maintain their lead and slipping behind rivals Ferrari and McLaren.

One of the key figures behind Red Bull’s technical success, Adrian Newey, recently opened up about the reasons behind the team’s sudden decline in competitiveness. In an interview with *Auto, Motor und Sport*, the legendary designer gave an insight into the challenges that ultimately cost Red Bull their stranglehold on the Constructors’ Championship.

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The slow unravelling of Red Bull’s performance

Red Bull started the 2024 season on a high, with early races suggesting they would continue to dominate the grid. However, as the season progressed, their advantage diminished. The once unbeatable RB20 was no longer the fastest car on track, with both Ferrari and McLaren making significant strides in development.

Newey identified this as a key factor in Red Bull’s decline.

“One reason, of course, was that McLaren and Ferrari in particular were doing a very good job of developing their cars,” he explained. The rivals had found ways to unlock performance, close the gap and eventually overtake Red Bull in certain conditions.

While other teams were improving, Red Bull were struggling with a car that was becoming increasingly difficult to handle. Verstappen, known for his adaptability, managed to squeeze performance out of the RB20, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez struggled more, unable to consistently match his team-mate’s pace.

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A warning ignored? Newey’s concerns about Red Bull’s direction

Despite his history of shaping Red Bull’s success, Newey’s concerns about the car’s development seemed to go unheeded within the team. Although he officially stepped down from a direct role in April 2024, he remained an observer, watching as the problems continued to mount.

“The car was getting harder to drive towards the end of 2023. It didn’t suit Max, but he could deal with it. Checo couldn’t,” said Newey. The trend continued into 2024, as the RB20’s handling issues persisted.

Newey admitted that Red Bull still had the pace to remain competitive at the start of the season, but the warning signs were there.

“I was worried about it, but not many other people in the company seemed very concerned,” he revealed. He suggested that a lack of experience in certain areas of Red Bull’s leadership may have led to an overly optimistic approach, with the team believing they could simply continue on the same path.

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The breaking point: When even Verstappen struggled

As the season progressed, Red Bull’s problems became increasingly apparent. What started as minor handling issues developed into significant performance deficits. By the end of the year, their car was no longer the clear frontrunner.

“The problems had accumulated to the point where even Max was struggling to drive the car,” admitted Newey. For a driver of Verstappen’s calibre – one who had thrived in cars that others found challenging – it was a significant statement. If Verstappen was struggling, it underlined just how serious the RB20’s problems had become.

Red Bull’s failure to adapt and refine their concept ultimately cost them dearly. As their rivals continued to evolve, Red Bull’s stagnation meant they could no longer rely solely on their drivers to carry them to victory.

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Lessons for the future

Newey’s comments highlight the delicate balance required to stay at the top of Formula One. One dominant season does not guarantee continued success, and failure to recognise and address potential pitfalls can lead to rapid decline.

For Red Bull, the challenge going forward will be to learn from these missteps. Their rivals have shown that no lead is safe in F1, and with regulations set to remain stable for the next few years, the race to develop will only intensify.

Whether Red Bull can regain their dominance in 2025 will depend on their ability to identify the issues that derailed them in 2024 and make the necessary adjustments. The question now is whether the team will learn the lessons of their recent struggles – or whether their era of supremacy has come to an end.

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MORE F1 NEWS – F1 steward sacked for conflict of interest

The doors of the FIA headquarters in the Place de Concorde in Paris has in recent times become something of a revolving door. Mohammed Ben Sulayem since his arrival as president of F1’s governing body has burned through three F1 race directors and a host of other senior staffers as rumours persist surrounding his negative leadership style.

The rally driving Emerarti inherited something of a financial mess when elected as president of the FI in 2021, much of which snow resolved. Yet his apparent desire to be front and central in all things F1 have led experienced commentators to suggest he is concerned about the limelight the CEO of F1 appointed by Liberty Media,  receives.

Stefano Domenicali who runs the commercial interests of the sport for Liberty Media, is of course a well known F1 figure. He was the last team principal when Ferrari won an F1 world constructors’ title the season Lewis Hamilton claimed his maiden drivers’ championship…READ MORE ON THIS STORY