Confirming recent speculation, Red Bull has announced that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey will leave the team in the first quarter of next year. An official statement shared by the team says Newey will “step back from Formula One design duties to focus on final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the hugely anticipated RB17. He will remain involved in and committed to this exciting project until its completion.”
- Newey to exit Red Bull in first quarter of 2025
- To focus on Red Bull’s first Hypercar, the RB17
Newey joined Red Bull Racing in 2006 and has been instrumental in its rise to becoming one of the sport's leading outfits. During his 19 years with Red Bull, the squad has claimed seven drivers' championships, six constructors' titles and 118 victories.
Newey isn't directly employed as part of the Red Bull Racing operation but has been Chief Technology Officer of the Red Bull Technology Group, and since 2014 his brief has been widened to include other projects outside of F1. That job shift was, in part, to fend off a major push for Newey's services from Ferrari.
As part of his Red Bull Technology Group role, Newey was involved in the development of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar and has since begun work on Red Bull's first hypercar, named the RB17. That car, due to be revealed this year, is a 1267hp V8 mild hybrid, designed primarily for track use.
In a statement, Newey said it had been "a great honour to have played a key role" in Red Bull's F1 success, but he added: "I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself."
Since joining Red Bull, Newey has designed a string of title winners for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His 2023 car is the most dominant in F1 history. Before joining the squad, he previously designed F1 cars for Williams and McLaren.
Team boss Christian Horner said: "When Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades later, he leaves as a true legend." Horner added that the RB17 will "be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us."
Recent reports suggest Newey’s decision to part ways with Red Bull is linked to the controversial situation surrounding misconduct allegations against Horner. Earlier this year, an investigation cleared Horner of any wrongdoing, although the complainant has since appealed that decision. The situation with Horner is said to have sparked a power struggle within Red Bull that has left Newey unhappy.
Subsequent reports before Newey's departure suggest that recent negotiations have focused on the length of his 'gardening leave', although it is unclear if Newey will pursue another job or simply chose to retire from F1 and focus on other projects and interests.
Should he decide to stay in F1, the 65-year-old will have plenty of options. He has strongly been linked with a move to Ferrari - setting up a mega partnership with Lewis Hamilton - and has reported received a job offer from Aston Martin as well.
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