Max Verstappen, the winner of the Hungarian Grand Prix, has addressed the news of Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull Racing. Verstappen believes that the impact of Newey leaving the team in 2025 is not as significant as it may appear. Despite his desire for Newey to stay, Verstappen acknowledges that Red Bull’s recent success is a result of their strong technical setup as a whole. Verstappen commends the addition of talented individuals to the team and expresses his trust in the remaining technical staff. While the news may seem dramatic from an outsider’s perspective, Verstappen assures that the situation is not as dire as it may seem internally.
When asked if he attempted to persuade Newey to change his mind, Verstappen made it clear that he had no interest in dissuading individuals from prioritizing their careers. “I don’t need to convince anyone because if someone truly wants to leave, they should go,” he asserted. “That’s also what I communicated to him. We still talk, it’s not like we suddenly stop communicating. If you believe that leaving is the right decision for yourself and your family, or if you’re seeking a new challenge, then you should do it. In the end, F1 is a competitive environment where everyone looks out for themselves. I understand that, I’m not naive. So it’s okay.”
Verstappen admitted that it would have been ideal to keep Newey on board, but he recognized that his contributions to Red Bull’s success warranted the desire to pursue a fresh challenge. “Like I said, I’m not disappointed because ultimately he has to do what’s best for himself,” he continued. “Would I have preferred him to stay? Yes, definitely. But if he tells me he wants to seek a new challenge, well, he has already done so much for the team. It’s not like he joined, achieved nothing, and then left. He has contributed so much, and we are very grateful for that. He has been with us for around 19 or 20 years. If at some point he says that’s enough and he wants to do something else, that’s also fine. But we can’t deny that we probably would have preferred him to stay.”
Newey’s departure has fueled speculation that Verstappen may also consider leaving Red Bull, with Mercedes being frequently mentioned as a potential destination. However, the three-time champion has dismissed the idea that he is reevaluating his options, stating that Red Bull provides him with the best opportunity to win races and championships. When asked about the potential impact on his future amid the power struggle within the team, Verstappen responded, “A few years ago, all of these things might have been unexpected, but I think it’s always important to stay calm and focused on your job, know the people you’re working with, and feel comfortable. Ultimately, we need to have the fastest car, which is what I’ve always demanded, and that’s what we’ve had for the past few years. We also have a highly skilled technical team that has been with us for a long time. So things will continue as they have been.”