Adrian Newey, the esteemed design chief at Red Bull, is set to depart the team amidst the turmoil surrounding allegations against team principal Christian Horner.
Widely hailed as the pinnacle Formula 1 designer, Newey has communicated his desire to part ways with Red Bull, according to a source.
The 65-year-old luminary has found himself disconcerted by the recent controversies engulfing Red Bull, particularly stemming from accusations leveled against Horner regarding sexual harassment and coercive behavior, vehemently refuted by Horner himself.
Requests for comment from both Red Bull and Newey remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
While Newey’s contract with Red Bull extends until the culmination of 2025, speculation suggests his eye-catching talents have garnered interest from Ferrari, with an offer also rumored from Aston Martin. His availability is likely to pique the attention of other top-tier teams.
Adrian Newey’s inclination to depart Red Bull was initially disclosed by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. However, BBC Sport has independently corroborated this information through reliable sources closely connected to Red Bull and Newey himself.
These sources affirm that Newey’s decision to leave stems from his dissatisfaction with the ongoing circumstances surrounding Horner, triggering a multifaceted power struggle within Red Bull.
Following an internal inquiry, the team exonerated Horner of any misconduct. However, the accuser, now suspended, has contested this verdict.
Friction exists between Horner, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, and major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, who supports Horner, against Red Bull Gmbh in Austria, initially advocating for Horner’s removal.
Having joined Red Bull in 2005, Newey has presided over two dominant periods: the Vettel era from 2010-2014, securing four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles, and the current Verstappen era.
Last season, Verstappen and Red Bull enjoyed unparalleled success in F1 history, with the Dutchman clinching 19 out of 22 races and the team nearly sweeping all. Their stellar performance continues this season, having won four out of the initial five races.
Although Newey’s role as Red Bull’s chief technical officer extends beyond F1, including involvement in projects like the upcoming RB17 supercar, his departure signifies a substantial loss.
While Verstappen, contracted until 2028, has refrained from explicitly endorsing Horner, his departure could exacerbate internal unease within the team.
But he has repeatedly emphasised his desire to keep the senior team at Red Bull in place, and said at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend:
“I signed a long deal. The only thing I said from the beginning is we want to have a peaceful environment, lately we have been talking about the car.
“I am happy about that, I am happy with the team and there has never been a reason to leave.”
Verstappen holds contractual provisions allowing him to depart if Marko loses his position—a scenario averted thanks to Verstappen’s pivotal intervention during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March when Marko’s tenure faced jeopardy.
While Verstappen lacks similar contractual liberties in the event of Newey’s departure, he perceives the exit of such a revered and impactful figure as a significant setback.
Mercedes publicly expresses interest in Verstappen, aiming to entice him away for either the 2025 or 2026 seasons.
