Adrian Newey: Why the Departure of Red Bull’s Technical Boss is ‘seismic’ for Formula 1 and Could Impact Lewis Hamilton

Sky Sports F1‘s David Croft believes Adrian Newey’s shocking departure from Red Bull is “seismic” for the sport.

Ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull confirmed that Newey, considered the greatest designer in F1 history, will leave the team in early 2025.

Sky sports news is clear that Newey will not have to take a gardening leave when he leaves next year, allowing him to join another Formula 1 team to help develop its 2026 car.

Newey built 14 championship-winning cars during his time at Williams and McLaren in the 1990s, and then at Red Bull in the last 15 years.

“It’s huge and seismic for so many reasons. “Not only is Adrian Newey in the market for 2026 and the big change to the regulations, but he is also leaving Red Bull and its F1 project with immediate effect, so it’s a double whammy for all teams,” Croft recounted Sky sports news.

“Some may have the resources and persuasion to win over the greatest car designer Formula 1 has ever seen, but even others who don’t now know he is not part of the Red Bull team.”

“The work that Adrian Newey has done over the last few years and during his time there to make Red Bull such a dominant force will now stop.”

“Every other team’s immediate response will be, ‘Good, he’s gone. He left Red Bull and that might give us a chance to catch up.”

Could Newey and Hamilton join forces at Ferrari?

Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 ahead of the team’s second F1 season and helped turn the team into a top team from 2009 when it took its first win.

The team won four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles from 2010 to 2013 and has returned to the top in recent years since Max Verstappen controversially won the 2021 drivers’ title.

Ferrari has been Red Bull’s main challenger in recent years and is considered favorite to sign Newey, who would work alongside Lewis Hamilton should he decide to move to Maranello.

Croft continued: “There will be some who will try to entice Newey to come to them – Ferrari, who have made offers to sign Newey in the past which he has rejected, and Aston Martin, from whom we have “We know he made a very bold offer.” They spent a very significant amount of money enticing Adrian to go to their factory in Silverstone and connect with their CEO Martin Whitmarsh, with whom Newey was in his McLaren time worked together.

“It’s a huge, huge story. As much as Red Bull tries to downplay it and that Newey is just one person and one person doesn’t make the difference, in Newey’s case it does.”

“His record, the championships he has won and the cars he has designed over the years, winning over 200 Grands Prix, show what a force he is.”

“I think we are all a bit romantic at heart, but this could be the most romantic story Lewis Hamilton has ever had in his career if Adrian Newey goes to Ferrari and joins the seven-time world champion.”

“What a power that would be. Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Newey at Maranello to try to recreate the glory days for Ferrari and try to help Hamilton to his eighth world title and perhaps Leclerc to a first.”

Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains in question

Questions surrounding Max Verstappen’s future will also be a big topic in Miami this weekend, with the reigning world champion at Red Bull still to be fully resolved since allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced against Christian Horner in February. Horner denied this and was acquitted of the allegations.

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 Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Marko was on the verge of leaving.

The situation has calmed down recently, but Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has made it clear that he would “love” to sign Verstappen, who has a contract until 2028.

With Red Bull producing their own engine for the first time for the 2026 season, Newey’s absence poses another big question mark over whether they can develop a title car, which is most important to Verstappen.

“Where is this announcement for Max Verstappen and his future at Red Bull?” Croft pondered.

“There was a lot of talk about Verstappen possibly saying goodbye to the Milton Keynes-based team. Is Verstappen that impressed with the engine program for 2026? Rumor has it that Red Bull isn’t quite as advanced as other teams.”

“There is talk of his representatives meeting with Toto Wolff and considering a move to Mercedes from next season in Miami at the weekend. Max has a contract until 2028, but Newey had a contract until the end of 2025. This is a big story for Formula 1 and “a lot of questions will be asked.

Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule

Thursday, May 2nd
6.30 p.m.: Drivers’ press conference

Friday, May 3rd
3:00 p.m.: F1 Academy Training 1
5:00 p.m.: First Miami GP practice (session starts at 5:30 p.m.)
8:20 p.m.: F1 Academy Training 2
9:00 p.m.: Miami GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, May 4th
3:25 p.m.: F1 Academy qualification
4:00 p.m.: Miami GP Sprint (race starts at 5:00 p.m.)
6:30 p.m.: Ted’s sprint notebook
7:05 p.m.: F1 Academy Race 1
8:00 p.m.: Miami GP qualifying preparation*
9:00 p.m.: Miami GP Qualifying*
11:00 p.m.: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*

Sunday, May 5th
6:05 p.m.: F1 Academy Race 2
7:30 p.m.: Preparation for the Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP*
9 p.m.: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11 p.m.: Checkered flag: Miami GP reaction*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

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