Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey will quit Red Bull in early 2025 after 19 years with the F1 constructor.
Newey joined Red Bull from McLaren in February 2006 and has since designed seven driver title-winning cars between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen – who claimed four and three titles respectively, with Verstappen currently on course for his fourth title this season.
Red Bull have also won six constructor titles under Newey’s designs during which they also claimed 117 race win, 272 podium finishes and 100 pole positions, with the team having won 22 of 23 Grands Prix last season in which Verstappen took 19 GP wins.
This season though saw Red Bull embroiled in a pre-season controversy surrounding the conduct of Team Principal, Christian Horner who was accused of sexual misconduct and coercive, abusive behaviour by a female employee but cleared of all allegations upon investigation.
Further speculation has since centred upon a power struggle between Horner, Motorsport Adviser – Helmut Marko and Thai shareholder, Chalerm Yoovidhya, whilst Verstappen has been mooted for a switch to Mercedes to add further uncertainty for the reigning champions.
Speaking of his decision to leave Red Bull, Newey commented: “Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to be a designer of fast cars. My dream was to be an engineer in Formula One, and I’ve been lucky enough to make that dream a reality.
“For almost two decades it has been my great honour to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning Team. However, I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself.
“In the interim, the final stages of development of RB17 are upon us, so for the remainder of my time with the Team my focus will lie there. I would like to thank the many amazing people I have worked with at Red Bull in our journey over the last 18 years for their talent, dedication and hard work.
“It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering Team are well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set.
“On a personal note, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya for their unwavering support during my time at Red Bull, and Christian, who has not only been my business partner but also a friend of our respective families.
“Also, thanks to Oliver Mintzlaff for his stewardship and Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager.”
Horner meanwhile paid tribute to Newey for creating the cars behind Red Bull’s “greatest moments”, which has led to 13 titles in total across driver and constructor standings.
Horner went on to add: “His exceptional ability to conceptualise beyond F1 and bring wider inspiration to bear on the design of grand prix cars, his remarkable talent for embracing change and finding the most rewarding areas of the rules to focus on, and his relentless will to win have helped Red Bull Racing to become a greater force than I think even the late Dietrich Mateschitz might have imagined.
“More than that, the past 19 years with Adrian have been enormous fun. For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades and 13 Championships later he leaves as a true legend.
“He is also my friend and someone I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.”
Newey who previously enjoyed title-winning success at Williams and McLaren is currently linked with a move to Ferrari – who have signed seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton for next season to partner Charles Leclerc.
The 65 year-old is also rumoured to be set for a move to Aston Martin, which could also see him continuing to design a Honda-powered car with the Japanese power unit manufacturer set to join the British team in 2026 when new regulations are introduced to the sport.
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