Renowned designer Adrian Newey may face obstacles in his potential move to another Formula 1 team due to contractual restrictions in his current agreement with Red Bull. Reports suggest that Newey has expressed his desire to leave Red Bull, bringing an end to his highly successful tenure with the team. His decision is said to be driven by dissatisfaction with the ongoing power struggle within the organization. Although Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing, his presence continues to overshadow the reigning champions. However, it is worth noting that Newey has not made his intentions known to senior members of Red Bull Racing or the company’s leadership. Speculation has arisen regarding a lucrative offer from Aston Martin, as well as long-standing interest from Ferrari, who have been actively recruiting engineers from rival teams. Despite previously rejecting Ferrari’s advances, this may be an opportune time for Newey to address any lingering regrets. Ferrari Chairman John Elkann has demonstrated a willingness to invest in success, as evidenced by the acquisition of Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming season. While a move to Maranello would undoubtedly cause disruption for Newey, it could also sway the balance in favor of Aston Martin, who have made significant investments in their quest to become a competitive force in Formula 1. Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian billionaire owner of Aston Martin, has spared no expense in transforming the team based in Silverstone and has assembled a world-class team, including the addition of Dan Fallows, who previously worked alongside Newey at Red Bull. In response to the increasing rumors, Red Bull has stated that Newey is under contract until 2025, and it has been revealed that the contract contains certain stipulations.
The first of these concerns additional choices at the top that would extend his contract end date by 12 months, rendering him unavailable until at least 2027.
Due to the long lead time required for development, Newey’s involvement in the ’27 car would be limited, and he would not have significant input on his potential next team until 2028.
At that time, Newey would be nearing 70 years old and considering the end of his remarkable F1 career, which has included 25 championships.
However, it is possible that Newey could be convinced to take on a consulting role, similar to Rory Byrne’s position at Ferrari after he retired from full-time work.
In the event that all parties can come to an agreement, Newey may be permitted to begin working with a rival competitor before the clauses in his contract allow.
Red Bull would need to accept the terms proposed by a potential employer for Newey’s services, but they would be hesitant to do so without a substantial fee.