Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey is reportedly leaving the team. Newey is the most successful designer of the modern Formula 1 era and was instrumental in Red Bull’s success, but is said to have become dissatisfied with his role at the team since team principal Christian Horner was cleared following an investigation into the allegations. The status of a female employee was disturbed by inappropriate behavior.
Newey, 65, has been with Red Bull since 2006, just one year after the team was founded. He has since designed cars that have won seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles for Red Bull, and his talents have long been sought after by paddock rivals. Losing him would be a huge blow to the team.
After the report was published, Red Bull insisted Newey was under contract until at least the end of 2025 and that the team was “not aware of him joining any other team”.
However, if he leaves, it would pose a major threat to the team’s retention of world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s future with Red Bull is already in doubt and although he is contracted until 2028, the loss of Newey will be a big reason for him to consider a new route.
Newey is understood to be upset at the incident at Red Bull Racing that has cast a pall over this year’s race. Before the start of the season, Red Bull parent company Red Bull Ltd launched an investigation into Horner after an employee accused him of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Horner has always denied any wrongdoing, and an independent investigation dismissed claims against him. However, the complainant has lodged an appeal and, if unsuccessful, proceedings are expected to be taken to the Employment Tribunal.
Red Bull has yet to make any comment on reports of Newey’s departure, which were first reported by German publication Auto und Sport.
The team has been in considerable disarray since the allegations against Horner were made public. There has been an ongoing power struggle between Horner and members of Red Bull since the death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. It also put Verstappen’s father Jos and motorsport director Helmut Marko at odds with the team principals. At the beginning of the season, Verstappen’s father said that Horner was in danger of “tearing the team apart”.
However, Horner has the support of Chalerm Yoovidhya, the parent company’s majority shareholder. Since the appeal was dismissed, team principals insist Red Bull, which has won four of five races this season, are united again and there has been no internal conflict.
Newey has enjoyed a hugely successful F1 career. His cars won five championships with Williams in the early nineties and two with McLaren in the late nineties. Convincing him to join Red Bull is considered one of the wisest decisions Horner has ever made, and no small coup. The team won four drivers’ and constructors’ titles between 2010 and 2013 and has won the last three drivers’ titles and two other constructors’ titles, with Verstappen expected to add another title this season.
Earlier this year it was understood Ferrari had been pursuing Newey, who said he wanted to work with the team and Lewis Hamilton, who will join them next season. Aston Martin is also understood to have contributed to his services this season. Mercedes have made it clear they want to poach Verstappen and will pursue Newey with the same enthusiasm, especially as it would undoubtedly put the Dutchman in a better position to join them.
Red Bull insists Newey was already actively involved in the design of the RB17 supercar, a role believed to have helped convince him to stay with the team.At Chinese Grand Prix, Newey says he won’t be leaving but stresses team atmosphere is key consideration
“I signed a long-term contract with the team,” he said. “I said from the beginning that we wanted a quiet environment and recently we have been talking about the car. I am happy with it, I am happy with the team and there was never a reason to leave.
