If, as rumors have suggested, Adrian Newey intends to depart from Red Bull, what would this mean for the Formula 1 team? Losing someone who is widely regarded as the most brilliant technical mind in F1’s history would undoubtedly be a significant blow. However, the impact would not be immediate, as the major teams are too deep and strong to be instantly affected by the departure of one individual.
Moreover, the Red Bull technical department is filled with a plethora of highly talented engineers. If Newey were to leave, their motivation would be high to prove themselves and showcase their contributions. Those who feel overshadowed by Newey would be eager to demonstrate their capabilities to the world.
It’s important to note that Newey’s potential departure is not due to any general issues within the team. Rather, it stems from a personal matter related to the controversy surrounding Christian Horner and the employee who served as both Horner and Newey’s personal assistant. Insiders assure that team morale remains high and that the focus is on what is happening on the track.
However, in the long run, Newey’s departure would result in the loss of the team’s most valuable human resource. If he were to join a rival team, the competitive blow would be even greater.
The power struggle within the broader Red Bull organization, magnified by the Horner controversy, has created a volatile situation where nothing can be taken for granted. It is difficult to determine where the ultimate power lies, especially when considering the entire ownership structure. Newey’s decisions could have a profound impact on how this corporate battle unfolds.
Would Newey be content staying at a post-Horner Red Bull, with an Austrian-appointed nominee leading the team? It could be a case of being unable to be with or without the current leadership. Perhaps he would prefer to extricate himself from the entire mess, regardless of who is in charge. These are personal decisions that only Newey can make. However, it is clear that his potential departure carries significant political weight and could further destabilize the team.
As for Newey’s plans after leaving Red Bull, it has been assumed that he may seek opportunities with Ferrari, Aston Martin, or even Mercedes. However, there is no concrete information suggesting that he has any agreement with another team. This doesn’t mean that such an agreement doesn’t exist, but the prevailing information indicates that his desire to leave Red Bull is primarily driven by personal reasons related to the Horner case, rather than pursuing other opportunities.
It is not out of the realm of possibility that Newey may simply retire. In such a scenario, there would be no legal battle regarding his contract, which is set to expire in 2025.
At the Formula One Management level, there may be a desire to see Newey bring his expertise to Ferrari or Aston Martin, in the hopes of leveling the playing field. However, the current boss, Stefano Domenicali, is not as proactive as Bernie Ecclestone was in facilitating such moves.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finds himself caught in the midst of further controversy, despite his focus on winning races and titles. However, any departure of Newey would undoubtedly factor into Verstappen’s considerations of his future. It would prompt him to evaluate whether Red Bull still offers the most promising prospects, especially given the uncertainty surrounding who will best capitalize on the new power unit regulations from 2026.
The aftermath of Dietrich Mateschitz’s passing continues to reverberate and shake the team to its core. The loss of Newey would only further weaken its foundations.