(L to R): Adrian Newey (GBR) Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer with Eddie Jordan (IRE). 27.04.2018. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street Circuit, Azerbaijan, Practice Day.
Eddie Jordan, former owner of a Formula 1 team and broadcaster, predicts that design expert Adrian Newey will take a break from the sport after leaving Red Bull. Red Bull confirmed Newey’s departure on Wednesday, stating that he will attend certain races this season before officially leaving the Milton Keynes-based team in the first quarter of 2025. During this time, Newey will focus on completing the RB17 Hypercar project, which is set to be revealed at Goodwood in July.
Despite other teams like Aston Martin and Ferrari expressing interest in hiring Newey, Jordan, who manages Newey, believes that the renowned engineer will not immediately join another team after leaving Red Bull. Jordan stated on the Formula For Success podcast, “If he decides to take some time off and relax, I think everyone would understand that. It’s more likely that he will do that rather than immediately pursuing other employment opportunities. Things have changed for him, he’s getting older. Red Bull is a fantastic team, he has had great drivers and personnel there. He should and probably will look towards the future for a change of lifestyle.”
If Newey takes a break from the sport, it would be a significant setback for Red Bull’s competitors who are eager to benefit from his innovative thinking that has contributed to the team’s success as Constructors’ champions. Aston Martin reportedly made a lucrative offer to Newey in March, and the 65-year-old recently met with Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur in London. Italian publication Formu1a.uno suggests that Ferrari is the frontrunner to secure Newey’s services, offering him a role as a “super consultant.”
After announcing his departure from Red Bull, Newey explained his reasons for leaving the team that he has been a part of since 2006. “For almost two decades, it has been a great honor for me to play a key role in Red Bull Racing’s journey from a newcomer to a team that has won multiple titles,” Newey stated. “However, I believe now is the right time to pass the baton to others and seek new challenges for myself.”
Newey has played a crucial role in guiding Red Bull to seven Drivers’ and six Constructors’ titles, and the team is likely to secure another double title win by the end of this season. However, Newey now faces the decision of what his next step will be in Formula 1, or if he will continue in the sport at all.