Newey’s departure from Red Bull was officially announced prior to the Miami GP in 2025, but his future plans and the team he will join remain undisclosed. Red Bull has been facing difficulties even before the 2024 F1 season began, with the Horner scandal causing significant turmoil and uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen’s future. However, after the F1 race in Saudi Arabia, Red Bull’s top executives seemed to calm the situation. Just when it seemed like things were back to normal, the announcement of Newey’s departure came.
Many have speculated that Newey’s decision to leave is a result of the Horner saga, putting Horner in the spotlight once again. However, Horner dismissed these claims during a media interview in Miami. When asked if Newey’s departure was related to him, Horner responded by stating that he has had extensive conversations with Adrian and that his position is clear. He emphasized their strong relationship and friendship, acknowledging Newey’s significant contributions to the team. Horner expressed sadness about Newey’s departure but highlighted that the team is in good shape and has a strong foundation to move forward.
When questioned about the impact of Newey’s departure on Red Bull, Horner pragmatically acknowledged that nothing lasts forever. He highlighted Newey’s tenure at Williams and McLaren before joining Red Bull, emphasizing the great moments they have shared on and off the track. Horner revealed that he considers Newey a friend and even the godfather to his children. While acknowledging the loss, Horner expressed confidence in the team’s ability to navigate the future, citing the preparations made since 2014 when Newey almost left. He referred to the restructuring of the technical team in anticipation of the F1 Turbo-hybrid era, which followed Red Bull’s dominant period with Sebastian Vettel.
Newey’s dissatisfaction with F1 was reportedly a factor in his decision to leave, but Red Bull offered him other projects to retain his services. However, his interest in F1 was reignited with the introduction of the “ground effect” era. Since 2022, Red Bull, under Newey’s guidance, has produced a series of dominant cars starting with the RB18 and culminating in the current RB20, with the team aiming for a third consecutive Title double.