Adrian Newey: How the Legendary Designer’s Departure from Red Bull Could Affect Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and Ferrari

Following Adrian Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull, Sky Sports F1 analyzes the far-reaching impact the legendary designer’s impending departure could have on the team.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport first reported on Thursday that Sky Sports has learned from senior figures in the sport that Newey has informally told his senior Red Bull colleagues that he is ending his nearly two-decade association with the Formula 1 world championship team want to cancel.

Senior sources at Red Bull say the team has not received a formal resignation from Newey, who is under contract in his role as technical director of the Milton Keynes-based team until at least the end of 2025, and that they believe there is still room for a resignation There is a dialogue with the 65-year-old.

The bombshell news, which would send shockwaves across Formula One if Newey’s exit actually materializes, comes during a period of ongoing turmoil at Red Bull after the Austrian parent company conducted an investigation earlier this year into allegations of inappropriate behavior by a woman against team boss Christian Horner’s colleague .

The complaint against Horner, who has always denied the claims, was dismissed on February 28. The woman who filed the complaint has since appealed the outcome.

Amid an apparent power struggle at the top of the team that almost led to the departure of motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, there was also speculation about whether three-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen could leave.

Why is Newey so important?

Newey has worked at Red Bull since 2006 and was a central figure in their eventual rise to F1 superpower status. He was instrumental in developing the cars that helped the team win all 13 world championship titles.

Sebastian Vettel won four drivers’ titles in a row with the team from 2010 to 2013, with Verstappen taking the last three and is currently dominating the early stages of the new 2024 season with Newey’s latest creation.

His recent designs have absolutely dominated the sport since the current ground effect regulations were introduced in 2022, with Red Bull winning 25 of the last 27 races.

One of the most revered and successful figures in Formula One history, Newey had previously designed several title cars for McLaren and Williams before being convinced by Horner to join a then fledgling Red Bull team in 2006.

Red Bull confirmed in May 2023 that Newey had signed a contract extension, which now runs until at least the end of the 2025 season.

Is Verstappen’s future in doubt again?

Since the allegations against Horner became public, much of the media has focused on the question of whether uncertainty at the top of the team could lead to Verstappen making a surprise departure from a car that has brought him historic dominance.

The saga reached its climax at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, when Verstappen suggested following the Austrian from the team amid reports that Marko was on the verge of leaving.

In the following three races the situation appeared to have calmed down, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said last weekend in China in particular that he – and the rest of Formula 1 – were still “waiting” for Verstappen to make a decision on his Future as 2025 hits The grid is taking shape.

The comment from Wolff, who admitted he would “love” Verstappen to fill the position left vacant by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari at Mercedes, came amid the apparent easing of tensions at Red Bull and Mercedes’ problems The strange route now suddenly makes a lot more sense.

Whether Wolff knew the Newey bombshell was coming or not, there is no doubt that his departure from Red Bull would hurt the team’s chances of maintaining its position at the top of the grid come the 2026 season radically new regulations are introduced.

With Red Bull producing their own engine for the first time for the 2026 season, Newey’s absence would raise another big question mark over whether they can develop a title-challenging car.

Verstappen has a contract until 2028 but has previously admitted that whether he follows through on the deal, which is said to contain exit clauses, will play a role in whether Red Bull can continue to supply him with a winning car.

It will be fascinating to see what the no-nonsense Dutchman has to say about Newey’s decision when he faces the media ahead of next weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.

A big blow for Horner

Losing Verstappen and Newey would be a total disaster for Horner, but the latter alone is a huge blow.

BBC Sport is among the media outlets reporting that Newey’s exit is directly related to his attitude toward Horner.

Newey has yet to comment since reports emerged of his desire to leave the team, but the suggestion that the sport’s undisputed best car designer is leaving the team because of Horner creates terrible optics for the team boss.

Horner has already had to withstand public calls from his star driver’s father, Jos Verstappen, to leave the team and is now likely to come under pressure again.

If there are still influential people at Red Bull or in the surrounding area who want Horner out, they have fresh ammunition with which to argue their case.

Instead of the brilliance of an RB20 that has enabled Verstappen to claim four dominant victories in the first five races, the focus in Miami will undoubtedly be on Newey’s possible retirement and its consequences.

When faced with questions about Verstappen’s future in Saudi Arabia, Horner insisted that no individual was bigger than the team, but the fact that his presence appears to threaten the future of Red Bull’s two most valuable assets might prompt some to question cause him to apply the same dominion over himself.

Could Newey finally move to Ferrari with Hamilton?

Firstly, it must be remembered that Newey’s departure from Red Bull has not yet been officially confirmed. The team says he is under contract until at least the end of 2025 and apparently still hopes to persuade him to stay.

There are also suggestions that the contract could contain a clause preventing him from joining another F1 team for another year.

However, should he leave, there will be no shortage of teams seeking his services.

The most likely destination for Newey in Formula 1 is Ferrari. During an interview with Sky Italy last year, Newey said he had previously been “very tempted” to join the Italian team.

Newey also said last year that the chance to work with either Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso would have been “fabulous”. The Brit has since signed to drive for Ferrari from 2025.

There is little doubt that Ferrari, which has failed to win the constructors’ championship since 2008, would jump at the chance to add Newey to a team being revamped under the leadership of Frederic Vasseur.

Newey has also been linked with a move to Aston Martin, which would be a realistic option if he wanted to stay in the UK.

Team owner Lawrence Stroll is determined to build a title challenger and may be able to make Newey the most lucrative offer.

Then there is Mercedes, who are certainly desperate for guidance in the engineering department after struggling to adapt to the design regulations introduced for Formula 1 in 2022.

Wolff hasn’t held back at all in expressing his interest in signing Verstappen, so it would be a surprise if the Mercedes boss didn’t give a candid answer when inevitably asked about Newey in Miami.

Swap the early alarm for prime-time evening coverage on Sky Sports F1 as Formula 1 makes its first of three visits to the US in 2024 with the Miami GP on May 3 and 5. Experience every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – no contract, cancel anytime

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