The article that initiated the decline was published by Auto Motor und Sport, possibly on a slow news day for them, when they speculated that Newey, tired of Christian Horner’s scandal involving explicit text messages, wants to depart from Red Bull. Sky F1 then picked up on this information, with Red Bull staff supposedly confirming Newey’s departure.
In response to the uproar, the World Champions simply stated: “Adrian is under contract until at least the end of 2025, and we have no knowledge of him joining any other team.”
Until Newey himself confirms his plans, everything remains speculative. It is possible that he may leave Red Bull to join Ferrari in 2026, or perhaps he will embark on a sailing adventure around the world on his boat named ‘Oyster’.
As an older individual, Newey may have been inspired by the movie “The Dove,” which tells the story of a man who sails around the world. This film sparked a desire in many young people in the seventies to embark on a similar journey, regardless of their interest in cars. It became a dream for their future endeavors.
Whether or not a young Newey watched this movie is unknown, but it is clear that a voyage around the world by sea is a priority for him. This year, he will take possession of his 27.4-meter Oyster 885 model boat, for which he has played a significant role in the design and engineering process.
When he announced the acquisition of the Oyster last year, Newey stated: “It’s a personal endeavor, and that’s the wonderful thing about building a new boat. We are customizing an existing design, but the purpose is very different.
“In motor racing, only two things matter: speed and reliability. Designing a live-aboard sailing yacht is much more subjective, considering the overall pleasure, performance, and usability,” added Newey when asked to compare the process of designing an F1 car to a yacht.
If Newey were to indeed leave Red Bull, he would depart with 14 World Titles (with 2024 already secured and potentially 2025 as well) as part of the partnership that began in 2005 when Jaguar transformed into Red Bull Racing, Dietrich Mateschitz’s dream team.
If Ferrari is his chosen destination, it would be a logical move. As the Scuderia assembles their own Super Team, with Lewis Hamilton already signed, Newey would be the next logical addition. For the Englishman, there would be no better manufacturer to conclude his career with and further enhance his remarkable legacy as the design expert at Maranello. Take a moment to consider it!
However, the temptation of ‘The Dove’ and embarking on a global sailing journey with his Oyster yacht might prove irresistible. Perhaps at the age of 65, Newey has grown weary of Formula 1. His remarkable record of 25 F1 world championships (comprising of 12 constructors’ titles and 13 drivers’ titles) is highly unlikely to ever be surpassed. What more does Newey have left to demonstrate?
Spending a couple of years navigating the world’s oceans, pondering the aerodynamics of seagulls, and observing how hurricanes and typhoons impact his yacht, Newey could even utilize modern technology to make some money along his adventures. By offering his expertise to the highest bidder in the F1 paddock, he could serve as a consultant while sailing the seas. A consultant at sea, if you will!
In essence, the world is Newey’s oyster. Will he set sail across the globe in 2026? Or will he opt for weekend trips from Maranello to Lake Garda during a Ferrari hiatus before venturing out to sea?
Meanwhile, as we eagerly await Newey’s thoughts on his future, it is worth acknowledging the remarkable Formula 1 cars he has designed that have clinched world championships.