Legendary designer Adrian Newey has decided to leave Red Bull.
It was first reported by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport newspaper on Thursday. sky sports Executives in the sport have heard that Newey had privately communicated to senior colleagues at Red Bull his desire to end his nearly 20-year relationship with the F1 world champion team.
“The situation is fluid, but there is definitely substance to the idea that Adrian Newey has decided to leave Red Bull, effectively taking his mind off the team.” sky sports news Reporter Craig Slater.
“Some executives close to Newey told me that. He had privately informed Red Bull executives that he wanted to leave the team.”
Red Bull executives said the team had not received a formal resignation from Newey, who takes on the role of chief technology officer at the Milton Keynes-based team, and that there was still room for dialogue with the 65-year-old. He said he believed it. .
“Adrian’s contract is until at least the end of 2025 and we are not aware of him joining any other team,” Red Bull said in a statement.
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Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater has revealed that Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey may be leaving the team due to allegations of a “power struggle” within the team.
Newey is said to have extended his contract until the end of 2025 in May last year.
Newey has worked at Red Bull since 2006 and was a central figure in Red Bull’s subsequent rise to F1 superpower, leading the design of the cars that took the team to all 13 world titles.
Sebastian Vettel won four consecutive Drivers’ titles with the team from 2010 to 2013, Max Verstappen won the last three and now dominates the start of the new 2024 season with Newey’s latest creation are doing.
His recent designs have completely dominated the sport since the current ground effect regulations were introduced in 2022, with Red Bull winning 25 of the last 27 races.
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Red Bull’s chief technology officer Adrian Newey described the car as an “extreme version” of what they had in 2022.
“Red Bull’s apparent power struggle is destabilizing”
The bombshell news about Newey will send shockwaves throughout F1 if his departure is ultimately realized, but earlier this year Austrian parent company Red Bull was accused of inappropriate behavior towards team principal Christian Horner. The announcement comes amid ongoing confusion within Red Bull following an investigation into the matter. female colleague.
The charges against Horner, who has always denied the allegations, were dismissed on February 28. The woman who filed her complaint later appealed the outcome.
“probably [this Newey news] Rather, it has to do with the power struggle behind Horner’s situation,” Slater added.
Newey talks to Horner, the man behind Red Bull’s success in F1
“It’s become unstable. I think that’s made him question how much of a future he has with the team.”
Newey is one of the most respected and successful figures in F1 history, winning multiple titles with McLaren and Williams before being persuaded by Horner to join the then-formed Red Bull team in 2006. He was designing the machine he had acquired.
“I have reported in recent months that the important relationship between Newey and Horner at Red Bull has cooled,” Slater added.
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The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew and The Times’ Charlotte Danker discuss how Adrian Newey’s departure will affect Red Bull’s future prospects.
“In recent months there has been more distance between them than before, but that has to do with some of the friction going on behind the scenes at Red Bull.
“Given the perceived power struggle there, and the specific comments made from time to time, Newey’s role within the team and influence on the design of the cars that won these championships is rather underestimated. There was also the fact that the following comments were made: “I came out from Red Bull.” ”
What is Newey’s contract situation and could he join Hamilton at Ferrari?
“He is contracted to Red Bull Racing until the end of 2025,” Slater reported.
“From what I understand, if Red Bull signs him for the full length of his contract, he will have to take an additional year of gardening leave, which means he won’t be able to do anything else until 2027. It will mean I won’t be able to work for an F1 team.”
“My understanding is that Red Bull is also unaware of any formal approaches to Newey from other F1 teams. One or two people close to Newey, who I have spoken to, are aware that if he If he is seriously considering retiring, he is.” He has not yet decided what direction his future career should take. ”
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Max Verstappen speaks about the importance of Adrian Newey at Red Bull, praising the chief technical officer for what he brings to the team, but says he prefers driving older generation cars. .
Newey has long been linked with a move to Ferrari, admitting he has turned down three big-money offers from the Italian manufacturer in the past, but has since signed Lewis Hamilton in 2025. Speculation about such a partnership continues to mount.
“One or two other important people explained to me that they believed Newey’s preference was that if he were to work for another F1 team it would be at Ferrari,” Slater said. added.
Recent reports have also suggested that the highly ambitious Aston Martin are playing for the Briton in their own quest to be at the front of the grid in the upcoming season.
Newey’s current role at Red Bull has expanded in recent years to include projects with Milton Keynes outside of F1, such as the creation of the first hypercar, the RB17.
Red Bull have repeatedly said in recent weeks that Newey will continue to contribute to the team.
What impact will Newey’s departure have?
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The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew and The Times’ Charlotte Danker discuss how Adrian Newey’s departure will affect Red Bull’s future prospects.
Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1:
“There are many other designers working behind the scenes, but this team is built around Adrian.
“He has grown the team and built the organization, but the larger power struggles are also concerning.
“This means Adrian will not take part in the 2026 regulation changes, which will have a huge impact on the performance of this car.
“Red Bull has been by far the strongest in terms of aerodynamics over the last few years, and even before that when they didn’t win.”
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