Earlier this week, Red Bull confirmed that its long-time design guru, Newey, would leave the team after a 19-year tenure, which has yielded seven drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships so far.
Newey was unhappy with the political power games going on behind the scenes at Red Bull, which have yet to be resolved.
Asked if Newey’s shock departure amid team turmoil was a sign of Red Bull’s implosion, Alonso replied: “I don’t think so.
“Obviously they have dominated the sport since 2021 and when something outside of the race weekend happens, there is a lot of news generated by this team.
“They’re the ones everyone wants to beat and everyone wants to disrupt them in a way to make sure you can beat them on the track.
“If you lose your CTO or designer to another team, it’s going to be a little less newsworthy than if it happens to the winning team.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24 and Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is known to be interested in Newey’s services after making him a verbal offer to join the Silverstone team, but the 65-year-old has been much more closely linked with Ferrari .
Alonso says he has “always wanted to work” with Newey, but considers it a privilege to be active at the same time as the designer, whether a collaboration takes place or not.
“I always wanted to work with him, once in my life,” said the Spaniard.
“I respect him a lot. I consider him probably the best Formula 1 has ever had, a legend of the sport, and I feel sort of privileged to drive alongside him in the paddock and obviously as a competitor.
“We are very happy with our technical department. Obviously Adrian is one of the best, but he has to fit into a team, and that is more of Lawrence’s decision and ultimately the decision of ‘Adrian.’
“We don’t even know if he wants to retire from Formula 1 and have different approaches for the future, so it’s more of a question for him.”
Newey will leave the Red Bull organization in March 2025 after negotiating an earlier exit. Until then, he will continue to work for the Milton Keynes-based company and its RB17 hypercar, but he will no longer actively participate in its technical developments or its future automotive projects.
