Multiple reports have claimed that Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey has decided to quit the team.
Speculation about Newey’s departure from the Milton Keynes-based team started circulating earlier this week following an article in the German motorsport publication Auto Motor und Sport, which alleged that he had made the decision to resign.
The 65-year-old’s departure from the team has been a topic of discussion, with reports from various sources like the BBC and Sky suggesting that he was either about to leave or had already started the process informally. However, there are conflicting reports stating that he has not officially expressed his intention to leave Red Bull.
Newey himself has chosen not to comment on the matter publicly. Red Bull Racing, on the other hand, has clarified that Newey is contracted with them until the end of 2025 and they have no knowledge of him joining any other Formula 1 team at this stage.
Newey has achieved remarkable success in Formula One as one of the sport’s most celebrated car designers. The race cars he has contributed to have secured a total of 25 drivers’ and constructors’ championships from the early 1990s to 2023. His current team, Red Bull, is heavily favored to win again in 2024 after claiming victory in four of the first five races of the season.
Having previously worked with Williams and McLaren during championship-winning seasons, Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 following the acquisition of the Jaguar F1 team by the energy drink company. The Jaguar team had made an attempt to recruit Newey before the Red Bull takeover.
During his tenure at Red Bull, Newey played a key role in designing cars that led to championship victories. From 2010 to 2013, cars he designed secured both Drivers and Constructors championship titles. Recently, his designs contributed to Max Verstappen’s Driver’s championship win in 2021, as well as consecutive doubles in 2022 and 2023.
Numerous reports have mentioned that the reason Newey thought about leaving was due to the controversy involving Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Christian Horner. Earlier this year, an employee accused Horner of misconduct and inappropriate behavior. Although Red Bull investigated and cleared Horner, the case is still ongoing as the accuser has appealed the decision.
During the initial races of the season, conflicts arose within Red Bull, fueling speculations of a power struggle between various factions within the organization and the Red Bull Racing team. The tension escalated to the point where both Dr Helmut Marko, the motorsport advisor, and Verstappen, the star driver, found themselves embroiled in public disputes during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.
In the past, Newey’s name has been associated with rival teams, including Aston Martin and Ferrari, as potential suitors. However, it is worth noting that contracts for esteemed F1 technical personnel like Newey often include a provision for a period of gardening leave.
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