Adrian Newey’s departure from F1 world champion Red Bull Racing Team is official after weeks of speculation.
Formula 1’s most sought-after designer Adrian Newey will leave Red Bull Racing in the first quarter of 2025 after 19 years with the famous F1 team.
Red Bull officially confirmed the Briton’s departure in a statement on Wednesday, which has been the subject of intense speculation for several weeks.
The BBC and Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reported last month that the Brit had told Red Bull he wanted to move on following allegations against team boss Christian Horner.
Horner was cleared in February of alleged misconduct toward a female employee who has appealed the finding.
“For nearly two decades, it has been a great honor to have played a key role in the development of Red Bull Racing from rising newcomer to multiple title-winning team,” Newey said in a statement.
“However, I think now is the right time to pass this baton to others and look for new challenges.”
Newey cars have won 25 drivers’ and constructors’ championships for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. His 2023 car was the most dominant in the history of the sport with 21 wins in 22 races.
Red Bull said the 65-year-old would step back from his design duties in Formula 1 but would continue to take part in certain races until the end of the current season.
“All of our greatest moments of the last 20 years have been experienced with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller,” said Horner. “His vision and brilliance have helped us win 13 titles in 20 seasons.
“When Adrian came to Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer for me. Two decades and 13 championships later, he leaves the race as a true legend.”
Red Bull is currently dominating with three-time world champion Max Verstappen, but Newey is a regular target for top teams.
He was reluctant to leave England, where most teams are based.
Ferrari, to which seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will move from Mercedes next season, and Britain-based Aston Martin have been named as possible future employers and have made offers.
Red Bull is ending its partnership with Honda at the end of next season and making its own engine with support from Ford as the sport begins a new powertrain era in 2026.
The team was already in turmoil before the season began, with Horner in the spotlight and problems with Verstappen’s father Jos and Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.
Formula 1 veteran Marko and the Verstappens are close, and Max links his future in the team to the Austrian’s whereabouts.
Newey is considered as crucial to Red Bull’s success as Verstappen, even though the Brit is not a one-man team and has a team of top-class designers and aerodynamicists working with him.