Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner, has revealed that the team has been preparing for the departure of Formula 1 design genius, Adrian Newey, since 2014. After much speculation, Red Bull announced last week that Newey had expressed his intention to end his nearly two-decade-long association with the team. Newey’s planned departure in 2025 will mark the end of a remarkable era, during which he designed the cars that secured seven Drivers’ and six Constructors’ titles. Although his exit is seen as a significant loss, Horner admitted that the team has been anticipating this moment for almost 10 years. Last season, Horner revealed that an intervention prevented Newey from joining Ferrari in 2014, when he became dissatisfied with Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness. “We always knew this day was coming,” Horner said after the race in Miami. “Since 2014, when Adrian came close to leaving, we have been building a strong technical team.”
Newey has negotiated an early release clause in his contract, allowing him to join another team in time for the development of the 2026 cars. Although he has been linked to Aston Martin, Ferrari, and a possible return to Williams, Horner believes Newey will take a break from the world of motor racing. “At 65, you can’t blame Adrian for wanting to take some time away from Formula 1,” Horner added. “He has earned the right to take a break, and whatever he chooses to do afterwards will be his decision.”
When asked about the potential timeframe for a suitor to build a team around Newey, Horner discussed the extensive efforts Red Bull has made to incorporate his traditional methods. The longstanding head of Red Bull also expressed his confidence in the current structure, led by Technical Director Pierre Wache, to uphold the team’s success. Horner emphasized the complexity of Formula 1 in today’s business landscape, particularly with the introduction of cost caps. He stressed the importance of strategic allocation of funds and resources to maximize value. Red Bull had developed a structure that revolved around Newey’s unique approach, but as regulations became more stringent and Newey’s role evolved, others within the team had to step up and adapt their working methods. This continuous evolution and adaptation are necessary for any organization to thrive.